Akmal Blasts PCB's Interim Coach Pick, Questions Direction of Pakistan Cricket

Former Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal has launched a stinging critique of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), questioning their decision to appoint Azhar Mahmood as the interim coach of the Test team.

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

Akmal voiced his concerns on 'The Game Plan' podcast, stating, "I just don’t understand the logic behind this decision." He drew parallels to a previous controversial move, adding, "It’s exactly like the time PCB made Mickey Arthur director of cricket while allowing him to continue working with a county team. I couldn’t understand it then, and I can’t understand it now."

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

Akmal further elaborated, "That role (Arthur’s) has continued, and it has brought many issues into Pakistan cricket. The same thing is now happening with the interim coaching setup. Before this, it was Aaqib Javed, then Mohammad Hafeez and now Azhar.”

He believes such actions reflect a lack of serious planning within the PCB. "These decisions reflect a lack of seriousness. When the PCB starts thinking seriously and acting professionally, it won’t have to make such compromises or temporary appointments," he asserted.

The interim nature of Azhar’s appointment places Pakistan in a precarious position as they embark on the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Their previous WTC campaign saw them finish at the bottom, with only five wins out of 14 matches. Following a series against Sri Lanka, they face a challenging three-Test tour of England – their only three-match series in this WTC cycle and their first Test tour of England since 2020.

Akmal concluded by questioning the purpose of an interim appointment: “Everyone has been appeased, and now Azhar has also been rewarded. If you’ve made him head coach, then give him the full time and responsibility. Otherwise, what’s the point?”