The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is to ask former all rounder Wasim Akram to coach young fast bowlers in the country.

Also Read Akram denies getting coaching offer

Commenting on a controversy fuelled by reports that Wasim was considering taking up a coaching assignment with arch-rivals India, PCB chief executive Ramiz Raja said Wasim's expertise should be used in Pakistan.

"As a international and professional cricketer he has every right to accept any coaching assignment. But we feel his first priority should be given to Pakistan," Ramiz said on Thursday.

"He has a role to play in coaching and grooming our young players and we will offer him coaching assignments at every level."

Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India denied on Wednesday that it had plans to sign Wasim, Indian media reports led to widespread criticism of the former Pakistan captain.

The left-arm fast bowler, who claimed 414 Test and 502 one-day international wickets in a 19-year international career, is in India working for a television sports channel.

He released a statement through his wife that he had never considered a coaching job with the Indian team.

Pakistan coach Javed Miandad said there would not have been the same controversy had Wasim been offered a coaching assignment by any other team than India.

"People in this country are very emotional about ties with India and with the Indians coming to Pakistan next year, obviously they were not willing to accept Wasim as a bowling coach for them," he said.