LAHORE: Former Pakistan Test cricketers Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal have been appointed as fast bowling and spin bowling coaches of the national side respectively, the country`s cricket board announced on Tuesday.

Ex-pacer Gul and off-spinner Ajmal are the first two members of the new Pakistan support staff under team director Mohammad Hafeez following the removal of his predecessor Mickey Arthur`s staff from their respective posts after the team`s dismal show at the World Cup in India.

The bowling coaches` first assignment would be Pakistan`s upcoming threematch Test series against recently-crowned world champions Australia, who also hold the World Test Championship trophy.

Gul and Ajmal will continue to be with the Pakistan squad in the following five-match Twenty20 series in New Zealand.

Gul previously served as the Pakistan bowling coach during the three-match Twenty20 series against Afghanistan, and the subsequent series against New Zealand at home.

The right-armer has also been the bowling coach for Quetta Gladiators in the last Pakistan Super League season and Afghanistan`s bowling coach in the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Ajmal, meanwhile, has served as the spin bowling coach with the PSL franchise Islamabad United.