Former Pakistan fast bowler Azhar Mahmood had the spotlight on him as he joined England's coaching staff for the ongoing T20I series against his countrymen.
But the 45-year-old responded saying regardless of the nationality, he is just happy passing on his wealth of experience and understanding of the game to the current generation of quicks.
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Mahmood, who played 21 Tests and 143 ODIs for Pakistan, was his country's bowling coach until last year when an unsuccessful World Cup campaign led to a change in the coaching personnel and structure within the set-up.
Impressing many with his knowledge through stints in county cricket, he has been roped in now by England as a consultant during the T20Is in Manchester.
"Cricket has given me a lot," Mahmood told AFP on Saturday (August 29). "Now I want to pass on my experience -- it doesn't matter whether a player is from England or Pakistan or wherever."
"I'm a professional, I've played in leagues with different teams. I know my role," added the man criticised for his new role within Pakistan.
Graham Thorpe, who has been elevated from assistant coach position to the head coach post for this series as Chris Silverwood rests after busy Test summer, has played alongside Mahmood for Surrey.
And captain Eoin Morgan has seen him operating from close quarters while playing for Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
"They have seen my ability working with players," Mahmood said. "Eoin Morgan told me 'we know your skills'. They are a really great bunch of people, the England coaching staff, and this is a great opportunity for me."
Mahmood said more than bringing inside knowledge of Pakistan players, it is his experience and body of work that pushed England to employ him.
"Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir and now Shaheen Shah Afridi -- they have all grown up in my hands," said Mahmood of the pacers part of Pakistan's squad for this series. "They (England) have seen my ability."
He takes pride in playing his part in Pakistan's 2017 Champions Trophy and Lord's Test victory the following year.
"I was glad to help them win the Champions Trophy and that Test at Lord's with a young attack -- we achieved a lot in a short period of time," he said.
Mahmood said he knew from past experience that the time for him and the then head coach Mickey Arthur would run out quickly after a World Cup failure.
"I wasn't sad," he said. "The PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) had asked me to extend my contract until the World Cup. When we didn't get to the semi-finals, I knew from my own experience as a player at the 2003 World Cup that whenever you don't win something, or at least get to the knockout stages, someone was going to go -- be it players or coaches. This is how it is in Pakistan."
Arthur was replaced by former skipper Misbah Ul Haq while Mahmood's place was taken by ex quick Waqar Younis.
The first match on Friday ended in a washout. The second game of the three-T20I series will be played on Sunday (August 30).
