Wasim Akram is still considered to be one of Pakistan’s finest cricket captains. He has captained Pakistan in 109 ODIs, the second-most after Imran Khan, with the side winning 66 and losing 41. Surprisingly, Akram never expressed an interest in coaching the Pakistan cricket team following his retirement. From the late Bob Woolmer through Mickey Arthur to Misbah-Ul-Haq, various prominent names have coached the 1992 World Cup champions, but never Akram. Stay with us to know about Wasim Akram on the prospect of coaching Pakistan.
As a Coach, it needs to spend at least 200 to 250 days a year with the team: Akram
The former left-arm fast bowler has finally explained why he would never coach Pakistan, saying that the role is too demanding for him. Akram, on the other hand, has always been available to assist players in need. Akram has always been there to assist anyone in need, either through PSL or at any ICC tournament.
“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,” Akram told Cricket Pakistan in an interview.
Wasim Akram on the prospect of coaching Pakistan: Wasim Akram
Another reason Akram has always tried to stay away from coaching is because of Pakistanis’ odd behaviour. Akram believes that there is a lot of rudeness and misbehaviour among Pakistan cricket fans and followers, who, he claims, find a cause to blame the coach in particular for the team’s poor performance. And when it comes to Akram, the world’s leading ODI wicket-taker, such behaviour is not tolerated.
“I am not a fool. I keep on hearing and seeing the way people misbehave with their coaches and seniors. The coach isn’t the one playing. The players do that. The coach can only help with planning so if the team loses, I don’t think the coach is not as accountable as we hold him as a nation,” Akram said.
“So I’m afraid of that as well because I don’t tolerate misbehaviour. And we are becoming that. I love the people… their enthusiasm and passion for the game, but without the misbehaviour that is shown in social media. It shows what we are.”
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