Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal appointed bowling coaches

LAHORE: Former cricketers Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal, have been appointed as the fast bowling and spin bowling coaches, respectively, for the Pakistan cricket team.

Their inaugural assignments in these roles include the Test series against Australia scheduled from 14 December 2023 to 7 January 2024 and the T20I series against New Zealand from 12 to 21 January 2024.

Umar Gul previously served as the bowling coach during the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, and the subsequent series against New Zealand at home.

He has also been the bowling coach for Quetta Gladiators in the last HBL PSL season and Afghanistan’s bowling coach in the T20 Cricket World Cup 2022.

He made his international debut in 2003, representing Pakistan in 47 Tests (163 wickets at 34.06), 130 ODIs (179 wickets at 29.34), and 60 T20Is (85 wickets at 16.97) between 2003 and 2016.

Former world no. 1 ODI bowler Saeed Ajmal will take charge as the Spin Bowling Coach. Saeed also served as the spin bowling coach with the PSL franchise Islamabad United.

In a statement, Umar Gul said he was pleased to join as the bowling coach of Pakistan team and honoured to have been given the opportunity to contribute to Pakistan cricket by Chairman PCB Management Committee Zaka Ashraf.

“Having had previous working experience with the men’s side, I will bring my coaching expertise with the aim of elevating Pakistan’s bowling prowess to new heights,” he said.

Saeed Ajmal said he truly honoured and grateful for the opportunity provided to serve as the spin bowling coach.

“I am delighted to contribute to the development of spin bowling talent within the Pakistan national team. I believe my career and coaching experience will help enhance the spin bowling arsenal of the team.”