Azhar Mahmood happy to help England bowlers

Former cricketer Azhar Mahmood has no qualms about coaching England during the ongoing Twenty20 series, saying he is happy to "pass on my experience" regardless of nationality.

Mahmood, 45, appeared in 164 international matches for Pakistan and was the bowling coach under Mickey Arthur before a new regime led by former captain Misbahul Haq was installed last year after a disappointing World Cup. Now Mahmood, who knows many of the England coaching staff from his time in county cricket, has been brought in as a bowling consultant by the hosts for the three-match T20 series in Manchester.

"Cricket has given me a lot," Mahmood told AFP in a telephone interview on Saturday. "Now I want to pass on my experience - it doesn't matter whether a player is from England or Pakistan or wherever." Mahmood, criticised within Pakistan for his England role, said his situation was no different from the one he often found himself in as an in-demand all-rounder.

"I'm a professional, I've played in leagues with different teams," he explained. "I know my role." England head coach Chris Silverwood has handed over the reins for the series to assistant Graham Thorpe, a former England batsman who played alongside Mahmood at Surrey.

Another England connection is with white-ball captain Eoin Morgan - he was with Mahmood when the former Pakistan international was coaching Karachi in the Pakistan Super League.