LAHORE: Sir Vivian Richards, one of the game’s greatest players, has agreed to join the Pakistan team as mentor for the upcoming ICC World T20 while spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmad has been replaced by former Test all-rounder Azhar Mahmood in the national team management.

Well-placed sources told Dawn that though the PCB had offered Viv Richards to join the team as mentor before the Asia Cup which begins in Bangladesh from Feb 24, he had expressed his inability to do so but gave his nod for the World T20.

Currently, Sir Richards is attached as mentor with the Quetta Gladiators outfit in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and has done wonders with the team. While earlier the Quetta Gladiators were not considered among favourites for the title, they have performed superbly to attain the second position on the points table, just behind PSL leaders Peshawar Zalmi.

Azhar Mahmood to replace bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed

Azhar Mahmood, who is currently playing for Islamabad United in PSL, recently has been hired as the T20 bowling coach due to his vast experience in this format.

Sources further said Grant Flower will continue his role as batting coach and the hiring of Sir Richards will not curtail his role.

Though the PCB is still awaiting government’s clearance on Pakistan team’s participation in World T20 in India, it is making all out preparations for the team to put up an impressive show in the mega event after successive setbacks in ICC World Cup 2015 and more recently in the Under-19 World Cup.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2016