Pakistan named Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal as their new coaches for fast and spin bowling, respectively, as they continue restructuring their team setup after the disappointing outcome at the 2023 World Cup.
After Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, Babar Azam tendered his resignation, which triggered a series of changes in Pakistan’s cricket world. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed as T20I captain while Shan Masood has been appointed as Test captain. Mohammad Hafeez, who was initially appointed Pakistan team director, will take over coaching responsibilities for the team’s tour to Australia and New Zealand. Earlier, Wahab Riaz was appointed as the selector.
Umar Gul, a former fast bowler who served as Pakistan’s bowling coach during the T20I series against Afghanistan and New Zealand, also held a similar role for Afghanistan and Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2023.
During his illustrious career from 2003 to 2016, he collected 163 Test wickets (at an average of 34.06), 130 ODI scalps (at an average of 29.34) and 85 T20I wickets (at an average of 16.97). did.
Ajmal, a former world No. 1 ODI bowler and a member of the 2009 T20 World Cup, previously coached Islamabad United in the PSL. Throughout his career from 2008 to 2015, he played 35 Tests, 113 ODIs and 64 T20Is, taking a total of 447 wickets across all formats. He is one of the few cricketers to have taken more than 100 Test wickets despite making his debut after the age of 30.
Morn Morkel, who served as bowling coach during the World Cup, resigned immediately after the Pakistan team’s match.
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