Pakistan has world’s best pace attack: Azhar Mahmood

Mirpur (Bangladesh), Feb 28 (IANS) Pakistan's newly-appointed interim bowling coach Azhar Mahmood believes that the team's pace trio of Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz are among the best fast bowling attacks in the world at present.

Mahmood has been appointed for the tenure of the ongoing Asia Cup and the upcoming World Twenty20, replacing regular bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed, who has been rested for the two tournaments due to fatigue.

"We have one of the best bowling sides in the world and there is no doubt about that. We all know that Mohammad Amir is a proven match-winner and then you add a seven-footer in Mohammad Irfan who has an advantage of height, the pace battery of the side looks really exciting. Not to forget we have Wahab Riaz as well," Mahmood was quoted as saying by BCCI.tv on Sunday.

"So, we have Amir's variety, Irfan's height and Riaz's pace which makes for a threatening pace attack. We have all our bases covered in the pace department. We have a line of left-arm quicks and the inclusion of Mohammad Sami only adds to the variety of the attack who can bowl at 145 kmph," he said.

For Mahmood, a phone call from former teammate and current Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis was enough motivation for him to take up the assignment.

"I got a call from Waqar Younis a week ago when I was playing Pakistan’s domestic T20 league. He asked me if I was interested in this role and I said yes in the blink of an eye. I had other commitments after the World T20 so this role suited me perfectly," he said.

An experienced campaigner himself having played for Pakistan before and in major T20 leagues across the globe, Mahmood reckoned his major role was to feed the side with all the right advice in Younis' company.

"These guys have been working hard for the last two years with Waqar Younis. My job is to only pass on my knowledge and skills and give them more confidence when it comes to executing bowling plans. I am enjoying each moment of mine with the Pakistan team and hopefully I can pass on my experience to the younger lot in the line-up," 41-year-old said.

"I have played around the world and have enough experience under my belt to help them with little things. I would be more than happy to help them get better in their skill not just from the bowling perspective but batting and fielding as well," Mahmood concluded.