Pakistan’s outgoing fast bowling coach Aaqib Javed has told PakPassion.net that he leaves the role with Pakistan's pace bowling resources in a healthy position and also with intense competition for places in the fast bowling department.

By Saj Sadiq (3rd March, 2012)

Pakistan’s outgoing fast bowling coach Aaqib Javed, who has signed a 3 year deal with the Emirates Cricket Board to take over as head coach at the end of this month, has told PakPassion.net that he leaves the role with Pakistan's pace bowling resources in a healthy position and also with intense competition for places in the fast bowling department.

Aaqib, who has worked for the Pakistan Cricket Board in a variety of coaching roles for over 11 years, stated "It was satisfying to see Aizaz Cheema's recent improvement and he bowled very well against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Cheema just needs to try and bowl closer to the stumps and we've talked about that and I think in the upcoming series Aizaz will bowl even better."

"Junaid Khan bowled very well against Sri Lanka and particularly bowled well against two of the best batsmen in the world, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene" stated Aaqib.

"Umar Gul just gets better and better. He's not had the opportunity in the past to lead the bowling attack as he was behind the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, but these days he is the leader of the bowling attack and he is responding well to that. Gul has taken on the responsibility of having to lead the bowling attack and has done a very good job."

Aaqib who represented Pakistan in 22 Test matches and 163 One Day Internationals further added "I think we have a few good fast bowlers, but some of them need some time before they can become outstanding bowlers. They have a lot of potential."

Speaking of up and coming fast bowlers that had impressed him, Aaqib specifically named the National Bank duo of Mohammad Talha and 27 year old Umaid Asif as bowlers that he feels have the potential to perform well in international cricket.

"Talha has always impressed me, I rate him very highly, he is tall and fast and can swing the ball. He has everything a fast bowler needs, but just needs some time and some encouragement from the team management to establish himself."

Speaking of the relatively unknown Umaid Asif who is 27 years old and from Sialkot, Aaqib stated "He's a tall fast bowler, he is very good. Umaid has a very nice high arm action and can swing the ball. Before the series against England in the UAE, I called Umaid and put him into the Academy so that he can develop his bowling further. Upon my return from the UAE I went to see Umaid at the National Cricket Academy and he looks good to me. I think in the upcoming season he will make people sit up and take note of his ability. I think Umaid is a bowler who will impress everyone and has a lot of potential. The PCB need to invest in Umaid and I'm sure he will repay that investment."

Left arm KRL pace bowler Rahat Ali was today named as a reserve in the Pakistan one day squad for the Asia Cup and Aaqib feels that whilst Rahat is a talent to watch out for he needs to work on his fitness levels.

"Rahat is a good bowler, another who I have high hopes for but he needs to work on his physique especially on his legs. I'm sure though that he will come good, providing he gets the right levels of support."