Former Pakistani bowlers Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal have been assigned the roles of Pakistan's fast bowling and spin bowling coach, respectively, in the upcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Gul, a key member of the victorious 2009 World T20 squad, brings prior experience as a bowling coach for the Pakistan team. On the other hand, this marks Ajmal's inaugural assignment with the national side.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) outlined that the initial responsibilities for both these former players will encompass the Test series against Australia scheduled from December 14 to January 7, followed by the T20I series against New Zealand from January 12 to 21 next year.
In a series of changes following the national team's disappointing World Cup campaign, Mohammad Hafeez has been appointed as the Director and head coach of the Pakistan squad, and fast bowler Wahab Riaz takes on the role of the new chief selector.
The induction of Gul and Ajmal, along with Hafeez's new role, signals the departure of foreign coaches, including figures like Mickey Arthur and Grant Bradburn, from the national side. Notably, South Africa's Morne Morkel resigned from his position as the bowling coach last week, and alterations have been made to the fielding coach role.
Gul's prior coaching experience includes serving as the bowling coach in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and the subsequent series against New Zealand at home. Additionally, he has worked as the bowling coach for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League and coached the Afghanistan squad.
Ajmal, a distinguished off-spinner whose career faced challenges in 2015 due to issues with his bowling action, boasts an impressive record of representing Pakistan in 35 Tests, 113 ODIs and 64 T20Is, amassing 447 wickets across all three formats. He has also contributed as the spin-bowling coach for the PSL franchise Islamabad United.
