Akram offered coaching role by the PCB

The PCB has made a formal offer to Wasim Akram for a short-term coaching role for young fast bowlers. Akram, who hasn't refused the offer, has however, put forth his busy schedule and said the board will need to work around it.

"I am willing to coach because I would like to work with youngsters and train them," Akram said in Karachi on Sunday. "I have always said that I am available to work with young bowlers in Pakistan, but due to my busy schedule I can't do this full time. But whenever I am in Pakistan, I am available to coach and groom the youngsters."

"There is no dearth of talent in Pakistan, it only has to be scouted and groomed properly," he said.

The PCB, who is currently looking for a bowling coach, contacted Akram for his availability but nothing worked out. "PCB is always very keen to utilise his services and this is a positive gesture by him," a PCB spokesman said.

"The Board has established a contact with him but nothing has been worked out due to his availability. Though he has assured to find a window from his busy schedule in near future," the spokesman added.

Akram is presently in Australia as a commentator for the Under-19 World Cup and will be in South Africa during the Champions League with IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.

"We will have to sit and chalk out training schedules corresponding with his availability ensuring there is no clash with his routine," the spokesman said, without divulging any details about the money. The spokesman, though, said that the PCB is ready to arrange the coaching sessions in Karachi, where Akram is based.

In the past Akram has turned down PCB's offers to coach, citing his professional commitments and offered his services as a part-time bowling coach. He last worked with Pakistan bowlers five years back in 2007 in a coaching camp conducted at the National Cricket Academy. Since then, he has also been involved with Knight Riders franchise as a bowling consultant.