Sri Lanka appoints Aaqib Javed as fast-bowling coach

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed former Pakistani cricketer Aaqib Javed as the national team’s fast bowling coach until the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024.

Aaqib will be departing for Colombo on Sunday to commence his duties.

Speaking to Cricket Pakistan, Javed expressed his gratitude at being appointed as the fast-bowling coach for the Sri Lanka Cricket team, describing it as a privilege.

"The Sri Lankan board reached out to me a week ago, and being able to contribute as a bowling coach to a former T20 world champion team is truly an honor," Aaqib said.

"Sri Lanka is a very dangerous team in T20Is," he added.

SLC CEO Ashley De Silva expressed confidence in Javed's ability to prepare the team for upcoming competitions.

“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,” said Ashley De Silva, CEO, Sri Lanka Cricket.

Javed, who played 163 ODIs and 22 Test matches for Pakistan, is currently the head coach of Pakistan Super League (PSL) side Lahore Qalandars.

Javed's coaching achievements include leading the UAE to ODI and T20I status and coaching the Pakistan U19 team to a World Cup victory in 2004. He also served as Pakistan's bowling coach during their 2009 T20 World Cup win.