KOLKATA – Former skipper Wasim Akram has announced he will not be the bowling coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) season on account of other “professional commitments and time constraints”, the ESPN reported on Saturday.
The legendary cricketer, who has served as the bowling coach and mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders in last editions of the Indian Premier League, said: “I have loved the camaraderie in KKR team and have enjoyed every opportunity to mentor the highly talented team over the years. I am surely going to miss being part of the dressing room but I wish the team continued success.”
Akram, who turned 50 in June, joined the KKR coaching staff in 2010. However, he took a break from IPL in 2013 to spend more time with his family. Then defending champions, KKR ultimately finished seventh that year.
Earlier, Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Thilanga Sumathipala said they invited the Pakistan Swing King to mentor local players in the next two years and visit the island at least twice a year.
“We have invited him to be with us in the next two years as our consultant in pace bowling,” said Sumathipala.
Akram is also working as the mentor for Islamabad United, the defending champion of Pakistan Super League (PSL). The next PSL season is set to start in February 2017.
