Pakistan's former captain and bowling great Wasim Akram said his other international commitments did not allow him the luxury of a long-term job.
KARACHI: Pakistan's former captain and bowling great Wasim Akram has ruled out a permanent coaching role with the national team, saying his other international commitments did not allow him the luxury of a long-term job.
Akram, who is in Lahore these days conducting a specialised coaching camp for fast bowlers said he does not have the stamina to sustain interest for the role of a bowling coach with the Pakistan team.
"I think I am better off doing stints like I am doing now. I would like to pass on my experience to the younger bowlers and they are plenty of good prospects in this camp as well," he said.
Speculations have been rife that the Pakistan Cricket Board might offer Akram a permanent coaching position with the national team ever since he conducted the three weeks camp on the invitation of the board.
Akram has stayed away from getting directly involved in Pakistan cricket since retiring in 2003 after the World Cup.
Akram, who ended his career with 414 Test and 502 ODI wickets also rubbished suggestions of Shahid Afridi that the national team did not require a full time coach.
Pakistan is without a coach after the death of Bob Woolmer during the World Cup and for the recent one-day series in Abu Dhabi, manager Talat Ali officiated as coach.
"When you have a young team and a young captain, a coach is a must. This applies to the Pakistan team. A coach can help a lot with the planning and allowing players to just concentrate on their cricket," said Akram.
He also advised fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar against rushing himself back into international cricket after being troubled with fitness problems in the last 14- months.
"There is no doubt he is now bowling seven to eight overs at a stretch in the nets but I think he should continue this regime until his muscles are used once again to taking the load before he returns to bowl in international cricket."
The Asian Cricket Council selectors recently ruled out Shoaib from the Asia XI squad against the Africa XI for next month's one-day series in India.
Akram said he would prefer to see Shoaib bowl more in the nets before returning to competitive cricket.
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