NEW DELHI, Feb 26: Javagal Srinath, former spearhead of the Indian cricket team's pace bowling attack, is the frontrunner to take over as the team's bowling coach on next month's tour of Pakistan, officials said on Thursday.

Srinath's name was being considered after Australian Bruce Reid, who did the job during the recent Test and one-day series in Australia, declined to accompany the team to Pakistan for personal reasons.

"Bruce has told us he will not be free during March and April because of previous commitments," an official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India said.

"We are looking at an alternative. It could be Srinath or someone else. The board will decide on Sunday." India are due to play five One-day Internationals, followed by three Tests, from March 10 to April 19 on their first full tour of Pakistan since 1989.

Srinath, 34, retired in November as India's second most successful pace bowler with 236 wickets from 67 Tests. Only Kapil Dev, with 434 wickets, took more.

Srinath also played in 229 One-day Internationals in which he took an Indian record of 315 wickets, including 16 in the last World Cup in southern Africa. Indian captain Saurav Ganguly confirmed on Thursday that a bowling coach would accompany the team when it leaves for Pakistan on March 10 - but insisted it would not be Pakistani great Wasim Akram.

Wasim helped out Indian bowlers including youngster Irfan Pathan during the Australian tour, a move that drew loud protests in the Pakistani media. -Agencies