Dayle Hadlee, the former New Zealand fast bowler, and Mudassar Nazar, the former Pakistan batsman, have been recruited by the ICC to coach at the Global Cricket Academy (GCA) based in Dubai. They will work alongside Rod Marsh, the GCA's director of coaching, to help train and develop players from across the world when they take up their positions in early 2009.

Hadlee had previously been the head coach with the New Zealand academy. Nazar was the director of game development for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and was involved with the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. They will design and implement specific elite programmes, provide coaching education courses, support grassroots development and work with local players to improve the standard of cricket across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"Dayle and Mudassar are two of the best academy coaches in the world," Marsh, the former Australia wicketkeeper, said. "I can't wait to start working with them in order to develop programmes that will help to improve cricket globally. We will have a great balance of coaching skills to offer every cricketer who comes to Dubai Sports City."

Hadlee, who played 26 Tests and 11 ODIs, said he was looking forward to his latest assignment. "The ICC Global Cricket Academy will be a spectacular facility that will provide the best environment to develop talent and participation in the sport," he said.

Nazar, who appeared in 76 Tests for Pakistan, said one of his targets was to improve the standard of cricket in the UAE. "This is a really exciting opportunity to work at the highest level of cricket coaching and development," Mudassar said. "I am looking forward to working with elite level players."