Aaqib Javed, former Pakistani fast bowler, has been named as Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling coach. He is slated to take up the position immediately and will remain in the role until the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA in June. 

In an official statement, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said, “Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of former Pakistan pace bowler Aaqib Javed as the national team’s ‘fast bowling coach.’ He will work with the national team until the completion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in the West Indies and USA during June 2024.”

Aaqib Javed’s Rich Coaching Career

Apart from his illustrious international career, where he featured in 163 ODIs and 22 test matches for Pakistan, capturing a total of 236 international wickets, Javed also holds a decorated coaching portfolio. A member of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning team, he has contributed to various national teams in diverse coaching roles.

Javed has served as the bowling coach for the Pakistan national team, led the UAE national team as head coach, and contributed to the Afghanistan national team in a developmental capacity. Under his guidance, the UAE National Team achieved ODI and T20I status, participated in the ICC Men’s 50 Over World Cup in 2015 and contested in the qualifiers for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2014.

Additionally, Javed coached the Pakistan U19 team to victory in the 2004 World Cup and played a pivotal role as the bowling coach when Pakistan clinched the 2009 T20 World Cup in England. 

At 51 years old, Javed holds the position of head coach for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) since 2017, guiding them to consecutive titles in 2022 and 2023. However, the Qalandars’ performance this year was lacklustre, managing only one victory and ending at the bottom of the table.