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

Former Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal has launched a stinging critique of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the appointment of Azhar Mahmood as the interim coach of the Test team.

Pakistan's Test cricket performance in the last WTC cycle.

Akmal voiced his disapproval on 'The Game Plan' podcast, stating, "I just don’t understand the logic behind this decision. 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 Pakistani all-rounder, is the seventh Test head coach Pakistan has seen since 2021. He succeeds Aaqib Javed in the role.

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 emphasized that such decisions indicate a lack of seriousness within the board. "When the PCB starts thinking seriously and acting professionally, it won’t have to make such compromises or temporary appointments," Akmal asserted.

With Azhar's appointment being temporary, Pakistan is set to embark on the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle under uncertain conditions. In the previous WTC cycle, they finished at the bottom, securing only five wins out of 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 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?” Akmal questioned.