KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram was unaware that the country’s cricket board had announced his name for mentoring an emerging players during a camp that starts this week.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that it will utilise Wasim's services, the governing body is yet to contact the former captain to seek his availability for the camp.
PCB Director Intikhab Alam, who also heads the National Cricket Academy (NCA), had announced that the board wanted the legendary left-arm pacer to mentor young talent in the camp that begins on June 20.
Outstanding talent will then be shortlisted in the first phase and players will be offered a chance to train with former greats and coaches of the country.
“We hope Wasim will take out some time to mentor
the talent as his experience will be very helpful,” Alam had said.
However, the former fast-bowler, who is currently in the UK, was unaware of the PCB’s plans.
“I have no idea as no one has contacted me from the PCB yet,” Wasim told The Express Tribune.
‘I’m ready if properly invited’
The former captain expressed his readiness to work with young fast-bowlers subject to a proper invitation from the PCB.
“I’d love to work with young talent. I think I can be really helpful but the PCB has to ask me first so that I can work around my schedule.”
Wasim, who was the bowling consultant for this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) winners, Kolkata Knight Riders, is also believed to have played a significant role in the team’s triumph.
However, the 46-year-old has been unable to offer his services to Pakistan in recent times, apparently due to disagreements with the board although he has supervised a couple of short camps for the fast-bowlers in the past.
While PCB officials state that the former cricketer’s busy schedule as a commentator, host and consultant in the IPL have proved to be a hindrance for the board in utilising his services, Wasim has repeatedly said that he would love to work with Pakistan players provided the board extends a proper invitation.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2012.
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@JB: This is PCB we're talking about. They think of themselves as "Demi-Gods".
Is it too much for the PCB to show some degree of respect to a person who has served his country in the cricket field for 20 years?