PakPassion blogger and newly-appointed Pakistan bowling coach Mohammad Akram speaks exclusively to PakPassion about his hopes and objectives in his new role.

By Nasser Khan (25 August 2012)

The news on the appointment of Mohammad Akram as Pakistan bowling coach may have raised an eyebrow or two, but those who know Akram will vouch for his passion and understanding of the game. Having been selected by Pakistan for nine Tests and 23 one-day internationals between 1995 and 2001, he also played domestic cricket in Pakistan and represented four English counties, taking 415 first-class wickets in a career spanning 15 years. “Haji,” as Akram is known to his close associates, has impressed many with his thoughts on a broad range of cricketing topics in his regular blog entries for PakPassion.net.

With the Pakistan Cricket Board confirming his appointment as the long-anticipated replacement for Aaqib Javed, who resigned as bowling coach in February, it would appear that the PCB have taken notice of the expertise that Akram will bring in supporting head coach Dav Whatmore to improve the bowling standards of the Pakistan side.

In exclusive remarks to PakPassion.net, Akram spoke about his delight at being appointed bowling coach for Pakistan, his hopes for the role and the importance of fast bowling to Pakistani cricket.

Mohammad Akram has always harboured a fervent desire to serve Pakistani cricket in any capacity and being asked to help shape the bowling attack for his country is an honour he holds in the highest regard “I’m honoured to have been given the role of Pakistan bowling coach and would like to thank the PCB for this wonderful opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain, two coaches who have a very strong reputation in international cricket.”

Those who have read Akram’s observations on PakPassion.net will not be surprised by his appointment given his intelligent analysis and balanced assessment of the Pakistan team, primarily borne out of a close affiliation with the Pakistan players. The PCB identified this as one of the factors in his appointment and Akram is aware of the importance of this quality as he takes charge in the coming few weeks “I have had a lot of interaction with members of the current squad and know quite a few of them well. I will seek to utilise my previously established relationships, and work closely with those players I have not yet met.”

If history is any guide, the ability to develop an understanding of the needs of individual players has been a key deciding factor in the success of a Pakistani coach and in this regard Akram appears to have garnered a distinct advantage.

37-year-old Akram has observed enough of Pakistani cricket to be acutely aware of the responsibilities and challenges that face a Pakistani bowling coach and he added “The position of Pakistani fast bowling coach is obviously a very important role. Pakistan has a proud fast-bowling heritage that is embedded in the cricketing psyche of the nation. I will of course be mindful of the weight of history that each pace bowler carries to the bowling crease when representing Pakistan. I was always aware of this when I played, and will seek to instil this in the players under my tutelage. Representing Pakistan is and always was an honour and the current players are role models for the next generation.”

Whilst his immediate concern, in tandem with Dav Whatmore, will be to work with the present bowling resources he is also cognizant of a more important task – one that would have surely be part of his job as laid out by his employers – namely the development of the next generation of Pakistani bowlers. It will be a major task, but one that that Akram appears to relish, offering him the opportunity to utilise his broad experience in both Pakistani and English domestic cricket.

“I will not confine myself to the bowlers that have been selected for international duty. It's imperative I help with the development of not only the current crop of international bowlers, but also the ones on the fringes of selection, the ones invited to camps at the National Cricket Academy, the bowlers at Under-19 and other junior levels. Sport is a fluid environment and as such we should develop our current crop, whilst also keeping one eye on the future.”

In recent times, a lot has been said about an apparent scarcity of fast bowling talent available for selection in Pakistan. This is an issue also highlighted by the PCB in recent times resulting in the establishment of nationwide talent hunts, but Akram is confident in the talent available to replenish the bowling stocks “Pakistan has a lot of fast bowling talent in the country and it's important that I help not only in nurturing and developing that talent, but also identify the talent that needs to be nurtured and facilitate progress of such players. It's obviously a significant challenge, but one I can perform. I don’t believe in undertaking any tasks in which I don’t believe I am capable of being successful – otherwise I wouldn’t be true to myself.”

Mohammad Akram is expected to join the Pakistani squad preparing for the limited overs series in the UAE with the first ODI game in Sharjah on 28th of August.