Akmal Blasts PCB's Azhar Mahmood Appointment, Cites Instability Ahead of WTC Cycle

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.

Akmal expressed his bewilderment at the decision, stating on 'The Game Plan' podcast: "I just don’t understand the logic behind this decision." He drew parallels with the PCB's previous appointment of Mickey Arthur as director of cricket, allowing him to simultaneously work with a county team.

"I couldn’t understand it then, and I can’t understand it now," he added, questioning the rationale behind such decisions.

Azhar Mahmood, a former Pakistani all-rounder, becomes the seventh Test head coach for Pakistan since 2021, stepping into the role previously held by 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 these frequent changes reflect a lack of seriousness within the PCB. "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 on an interim basis, Pakistan faces a period of instability as they embark on the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. In the previous WTC cycle, the team finished at the bottom, securing only five victories in 14 matches. Their upcoming challenges include a series against Sri Lanka, followed by a three-Test tour of England, marking their first Test tour of England since 2020.

Akmal concluded, "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?"