Akram joins the race for KKR coaching

MUMBAI: The list of candidates who have applied for the Kolkata Knight Riders coach’s job is getting longer and more illustrious by the day.

The latest to join the list is Wasim Akram who has applied for the post. It is learnt that the KKR management has asked him to drop in at Mumbai and present his case on August 30. Former India coach John Wright, another aspirant, will also be interviewed on the same day.

Akram barely has any coaching experience at any level apart from briefly mentoring Irfan Pathan in his debut series. But the former Pakistan captain is known to have a very cordial relationship with Sourav Ganguly as the two shared the dressing room for Lancashire in English county. Ganguly has always been a great admirer of Akram’s bowling and leadership skills. With Akram now joining the fray, it has now become a three-way race with Wright and former Pakistan coach Richard Pybus being the other two.

Meanwhile, Ganguly returned to the city after the two-day selection process at KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan’s residence in Mumbai.

According to a source, nine candidates presented their case in the last two days and among them, Pybus was asked to stay back for another round of interview. The KKR management intends to complete the process by August end.