Akmal Blasts PCB's Azhar Mahmood Appointment, Cites Coaching Instability

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

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."

He further elaborated, "I couldn’t understand it then, and I can’t understand it now." Azhar Mahmood's appointment marks the seventh change in Test head coach for Pakistan since 2021, succeeding Aaqib Javed.

Akmal highlighted the instability caused by these frequent changes. "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 said.

He criticized the PCB's approach, saying, “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."

Pakistan faces uncertain times as they enter the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with an interim coach. Their performance in the previous WTC cycle was dismal, finishing at the bottom with only five wins in fourteen matches. Following a series against Sri Lanka, they are scheduled for a challenging three-Test tour of England, their first since 2020 and their only three-match series in this WTC cycle.

Akmal concluded by questioning the purpose of the 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?”