Pakistan’s legendary pacer Wasim Akram has revealed why he has no interest in taking up a coaching role with the national cricket team.
He cited the intense scrutiny faced by coaches and the growing pressure from social media and the press as his main reasons.
During a recent interview with cricket YouTuber Furqan Bhatti, Akram was asked why he has never wanted to coach the Pakistan team despite his vast experience in international cricket.
The former Pakistan captain took issue with how coaches are treated whenever the team fails to deliver.
“I don’t understand why, when a team performs badly, the coach is sacked, but the players who are actually playing are not held to the same standard. That is something I have never understood,” Akram declared.
He also pointed to the criticism surrounding Pakistan cricket, particularly the tone it takes on social media and in the press.
“I am now 60-years-old, and I cannot tolerate this kind of disrespect and below-the-belt criticism, especially from people who have never played cricket but talk about strategy and technique in a disrespectful manner,” he said.
“At this stage of my life, I do not want to take that kind of pressure. Coaching the Pakistan team, both on and off the field, is not a piece of cake, especially with social media and the press,” he added.
Akram’s comments come at a time when the pressure on Pakistan’s coaching setup has been on full display.
After Pakistan’s 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord’s, which handed England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, the PCB carried out a sweeping overhaul of the touring party.
The board released seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, and also let go of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul ahead of the dead-rubber third Test at Edgbaston.
Five uncapped players were brought in as replacements. The decision drew sharp criticism from several former players and pundits, with ex-Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur calling it “absolutely ridiculous” and blaming the board’s constant chopping and changing for the team’s instability.
The changes ,however, made no difference. Put into bat, Pakistan collapsed to 133 all out in just 33.5 overs, with Josh Tongue taking four wickets and Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer sharing six between them. Saud Shakeel top-scored with 43 before being bowled by Tongue.
England ended day one on 156 for 4, a lead of 23 runs, with half-centuries from Emilio Gay and Harry Brook steering them further ahead.
