Akram to hold pacers' camp

Wasim Akram is set to hold another coaching camp for Pakistan's fast bowlers at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore later this month.

Akram overlooked a similar camp last year in Lahore, where he fast-tracked a number of promising young fast bowlers into national selection. Sohail Tanvir was the most prominent find from last year, though Akram also rated highly Mohammad Aamer, the left-armer who has been impressive for Pakistan U-19s recently.

The camp is expected to get underway from May 26 and a PCB official told The News that Akram will train several young pacers who are either a part of the Pakistan team or are knocking at the doors of international cricket.

Mudassar Nazar, a former Pakistan opener and head of the NCA, is currently finalising the details of the camp that is expected to last around six days. All leading pacers of the country, except for the ones currently competing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) will take part in the camp, just a few days before the Pakistan team leaves for Bangladesh for a tri-nation ODI series also involving India in June.

Akram's media commitments since he retired in 2003 have taken priority over his coaching work, though as a travelling, freelance bowling guru, he has had considerable success, especially with young Indian fast bowlers such as Irfan Pathan. Last year's two-week camp was the first time Akram had officially worked in a coaching capacity and though he enjoyed the experience, he wasn't sure whether it would be a full-time commitment.