Famous Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram will be coaching Sri Lankan bowlers as they prepare for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which begins on June 1 in the West Indies and USA.
Akram arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday, May 1, and will start a two-day training session on Thursday, May 2, according to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). His coaching will not only benefit the bowlers but also high-performance coaches and coaches from key clubs in Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lanka have pace, need swing”
“In total, Akram will conduct five sessions, covering the SLC pace academy, HPC, and major club coaches. He will also observe Sri Lanka’s national players’ preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”
“The idea is to teach them how to believe in themselves and how to fox out the batsmen,” he said after a coaching session at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo.“
Sri Lanka, who have won their recent T20I series against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, are looking to strengthen their performance, especially against stronger teams. Their bowling has been a weak point, and they hope Akram’s expertise can make a difference. The team’s first match in the World Cup will be against South Africa in New York on June 3.
Akram has a storied history with Sri Lankan cricket, having served as a mentor during their 2016 tour of South Africa. Although that tour had mixed results, Akram’s extensive coaching experience, including roles in Pakistan’s domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League, could bring valuable insights to the Sri Lankan team.
