KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Akram as the new bowling coach for the national team, PakPassion.net reported.

"After much debate and discussions the PCB has chosen Mohammad Akram as the Pakistan bowling coach. The PCB chose Akram as he has a good rapport with the current group of Pakistani cricketers, they know him and he has experience of Pakistan domestic cricket and also a lot of experience in county cricket," a source close the PCB was quoted as saying.

Akram, who was backed by Rashid Latif and Azhar Mehmood,  will also work with the younger players in order to groom them for the future.

"Akram will not just work with the current group of international bowlers, he will also be expected to work with the upcoming bowlers at the National Cricket Academy as well as at grass roots levels with a particular emphasis on grooming and preparing the next generation of fast bowlers for Pakistan," the source added.

The former fast bowler played 32 matches for Pakistan and county cricket for Surrey, Sussex, Northamptonshire and Essex and is expected to start coaching by next month. Akhtar will work with coach Dav Whatmore and fielding coach Julien Fountain.

Pakistan have been without a bowling coach since Aqib Javed quit in February for a more lucrative offer in the UAE. A

Earlier, it was reported that Ian Pont was being considered for the position and former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar had also expressed an interest in becoming the team’s next bowling coach.