PCB considering Shoaib Akhtar for bowling consultant's role

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling over approaching fast bowling legend Shoaib Akhtar for the bowling consultant role as it continues its search for prominent names to mentor cricketers at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The PCB recently hired former batting maestro Mohammad Yousuf as a batting consultant on the recommendation of NCA director Mudassar Nazar.

Akhtar’s name has come into the reckoning due to the unavailability of former pacer Aqib Javed, whose name had earlier been finalised. The PCB plans on hiring former cricketers as consultants for all departments the game, according to a PCB official, which means there will be separate consultants for spinners and wicketkeepers as well. The cricketing board previously chose Saqlain Mushtaq to mentor off-spinners but is now looking for a replacement after the former spinner was roped in by the England team as bowling consultant for their ongoing tour of India.

Likewise, former captain Rashid Latif is tipped to take the role as wicket-keeping consultant. The NCA already has a team of coaches led by former leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed so the additional appointments have raised a few eyebrows.

But, NCA Senior General Manager Ali Zia said the appointments of such big names will be highly beneficial for young cricketers.

“The former cricketers being appointed as consultants will be assigned special tasks,” Zia told The Express Tribune.  “They will be working with cricketers playing at the U16 level all the way to players of the national team.”

Zia revealed how the PCB plans on using these additional consultants. “These cricketers have loads of experience and it would be highly beneficial for our cricketers especially the youngsters,” he said.