Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the appointment of former Pakistani pace bowler Aaqib Javed as the national team’s fast bowling coach.
The confirmation came on Saturday, March 16th, marking a significant addition to Sri Lanka’s coaching staff ahead of major international competitions.
Aaqib Javed will commence his duties immediately and is slated to serve until the culmination of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the USA in June 2024.
With a rich cricketing background, Aaqib Javed brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Having played 163 ODIs and 22 Test matches for Pakistan, he boasts an impressive tally of 236 international wickets. Notably, Javed was a pivotal member of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning squad, lending his expertise to the team’s historic triumph.
In welcoming Javed to the coaching team, Sri Lanka Cricket’s CEO, Ashley De Silva, expressed confidence in his ability to prepare Sri Lanka’s bowlers for the upcoming T20 World Cup. De Silva emphasized the importance of Javed’s vast international experience in both playing and coaching roles, foreseeing a positive impact on the team’s performance.
“We warmly welcome Aaqib and believe that his immense international experience, both in playing and coaching, will help our bowlers come into good shape ahead of the upcoming major international competitions, such as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” stated De Silva.
Aaqib Javed’s coaching pedigree extends beyond his playing days. He has previously served in various coaching capacities for national teams, including stints as the bowling coach of the Pakistan national team, head coach of the UAE national team, and involvement with the Afghanistan national team in a developmental role.
Notable achievements in Javed’s coaching career include guiding the Pakistan U19 team to victory in the 2004 U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and serving as the bowling coach during Pakistan’s triumph in the 2009 T20 World Cup in England.
His contributions were also instrumental during his tenure with the UAE National Team, where he played a pivotal role in securing ODI and T20I status for the team. Under his guidance, the UAE team participated in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2015 and featured in qualifiers for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2014.
Aaqib Javed’s appointment reflects Sri Lanka Cricket’s commitment to enhancing its coaching setup and preparing its players for success on the international stage. As preparations intensify for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Javed’s expertise is poised to play a crucial role in shaping Sri Lanka’s bowling arsenal and maximizing their performance potential.
