The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former Pakistan first-class cricketer and coach Iqbal Imam as the new batting coach.
Iqbal Imam will be replacing Andy Richards in a bid to “reward and promote all the top performers, while also creating merit-based coaching opportunities for talented Pakistani coaches,” according to PCB’s MD Wasim Khan.
A statement from PCB read:
[Iqbal’s appointment is] in light of the PCB’s vision and strategy to invest further into women’s cricket and to help the women batters improve on their overall performance and become one of top performing sides in the world.
Iqbal Imam has a very decorated coaching resume; he is currently the head coach of the Karachi region, and worked closely with Sharjeel Khan prior to his international debut.
Additionally, he has also been associated with Pakistan’s under-level international cricket, serving as the assistant coach of the Pakistan-A team and the U-19 team along with women’s U-17 team as well.
Following his appointment, Wasim Khan said:
Iqbal is a hardworking and committed batting coach who fits perfectly in the PCB’s vision for women’s cricket, which is to provide them with skilled individuals who will add significant value to both their development and performances.
Talking about Iqbal’s career as a cricketer, he has played 262 first-class and List-A games, scoring 8,439 runs and taking 219 wickets with his right-arm offbreaks.
Upcoming Challenge
Iqbal Imam’s first assignment will be upcoming ICC Championship fixture against South Africa.
He will be joining the team for their camp in Karachi, which will begin from April 9 under head coach Mark Coles.
The Pakistan women team is set to depart for South Africa on April 29 for three ICC Women’s Championship ODI on May 6, 9 and 12, which will be followed by five T20Is on May 15, 18, 19, 22 and 23.
The PCB’s MD said:
The tour to South Africa is an important one as our team will like to build on their success against the Windies and move up the points table. In addition to this, this challenging tour also provides a chance for the Pakistan girls to prepare for next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020.
