Veteran Ijaz Ahmed to groom Pakistan’s future stars

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former Test cricketer Ijaz Ahmed as the head coach of Pakistan U19 team for a period of three years.

Ijaz has been involved in various coaching positions since 2009, serving as the head coach for Pakistan “A” and U19 sides. He also took up the head coach’s role with the national men’s side (in 2010) during his stint as an assistant coach.

“I am thankful to the PCB for trusting me with the important responsibility of grooming and nurturing the future stars of Pakistan cricket. Junior cricket is a lifeline for any cricketing nation; as it sees talented youngsters graduate to senior cricket and carry forward the legacy of some of the greatest cricketers this proud nation has produced,” said Ijaz, while talking to the media.

Ijaz, who has represented Pakistan in 60 Tests and 250 ODIs between 1986 and 2001, will also work closely with the Pakistan U16 and Pakistan “A” sides and will assume charge following the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2019, to be played in Colombo from 5 to 14 September.

Speaking about his aims as the incoming head coach, Ijaz said that he is hopeful to produce a handful of players for the national team in his tenure of three years.

"My contract is for three years and in those three years I am hopeful for producing five, six players for the national team, which fulfills my responsibility. I can only justify my job if I provide players for Pakistan," he said.

Ijaz’s first assignment is likely to be the “A” team eight-nation T20 tournament in Kenya next month.