Legendary Pakistani pacer and former captain Wasim Akram recently opened up about not taking up the prestigious head coach job of the Pakistan national cricket team following his retirement from international cricket. One of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the gentlemen’s game, former Pakistan captain Akram was known for his ability to swing the leather both ways in his iconic playing career.
Akram played an instrumental role in Pakistan’s maiden World Cup triumph in the 1992 edition of the showpiece event. Nicknamed the ‘Sultan of Swing’, the legendary Pakistani speed merchant also captained the Green Army side that made it to the final of the 1999 World Cup. Akram has enjoyed fruitful coaching stints with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises over the years.
However, the fast bowling great has never expressed his desire about taking the head coach post of Pakistani men’s national cricket team. Speaking on Cricket Pakistan’s show ‘Cricket Corner’, Akram explained why will not be able to take up the coaching role at Pakistan. “When you become the coach, you need to give at least 200 to 250 days a year to the team and that’s a lot of work. I don’t think I can manage so much work away from Pakistan, from my family. And as it is, I spend time with most of the players in the PSL, they all have my number and they keep asking for advice,” Akram said in the interview.
Recently, Ramiz Raja’s Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had roped in legendary Australia opener Matthew Hayden and former South Africa pacer Vernon Philander as the coaches of the Babar Azam-led Pakistan side for the ICC World T20. Hayden and Philander were appointed after head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis had surprisingly stepped down from their respective roles prior to the start of the World Cup.
“I am not a fool. I keep on hearing and seeing on social media how people misbehave with their coaches and seniors. The coach isn’t the one playing. The players are the one playing. The coach can only help with the planning. So, if the team loses, I don’t think the coach is as responsible or accountable as we hold him as a nation,” Akram added.
