Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram is all set top become the bowling coach-cum-consultant for the Knight Riders for the next IPL season, according to sources. Akram met team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan and Sourav Ganguly in Mumbai recently. "It was quite a positive meeting. Ganguly, whom I know very well and have played a lot of cricket against, was also there," Akram said on Monday.

"I am available for a consultant's position. I told them what I could do for them. I told them that I could help their fast bowlers and chalk out a strategy for them. I can also take a lot of load off the captain's shoulders." Akram may also rope in Pakistan team psychologist Dr Maqbool Babri, who was with the Younis Khan-led team during the recent World T20.

Besides Akram, the KR management is also looking at Richard Pybus or John Wright as the head of coach. Sources suggested that Shah Rukh was quite impressed with ex-Pakistan coach Pybus' credentials. Former India team manager Lalchand Rajput is ahead in the race for the assistant coach's post while Robin Singh is emerging as the likely choice as fielding coach, the Times of India report says.

-New Nation