Akmal Blasts PCB's Interim Coach Choice, Questions Seriousness of Pakistan Cricket Leadership

Former Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal has strongly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for naming Azhar Mahmood as the interim coach of the Test team.

Pakistan's Test cricket performance in the World Test Championship.

Akmal voiced his concerns on 'The Game Plan' podcast on YouTube. “I simply don’t understand the reasoning behind this decision," he stated. "It mirrors the time when the PCB appointed Mickey Arthur as director of cricket, while he was still engaged with a county team."

He further elaborated, "I couldn’t grasp it then, and I still can’t comprehend it now."

Azhar Mahmood, a former Pakistani all-rounder, becomes the seventh Test head coach for Pakistan since 2021, succeeding Aaqib Javed.

Akmal continued, "That role (Arthur’s) has persisted, and it has introduced numerous problems into Pakistan cricket. The same scenario is unfolding with the interim coaching setup. Previously, it was Aaqib Javed, then Mohammad Hafeez, and now Azhar."

“These choices indicate a lack of seriousness. When the PCB starts to take things seriously and operate professionally, it won’t have to resort to such compromises or temporary appointments," he added.

With Azhar’s appointment being temporary, Pakistan will enter the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle under uncertain conditions. In the previous WTC cycle, they finished at the bottom, securing only five wins in 14 matches. Following the series against Sri Lanka, their next challenge is a three-Test tour of England, their only three-match series in this WTC cycle and their first Test tour of England since 2020.

“Everyone has been accommodated, and now Azhar has also been rewarded. If you’ve appointed him as head coach, then give him the full-time position and responsibility. Otherwise, what is the purpose?” Akmal questioned.