Kamran Akmal Slams PCB’s “Illogical” Coaching Strategy
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has unleashed a scathing critique on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), condemning their recent decision to appoint Azhar Mahmood as the interim head coach for the national Test team. Akmal didn’t mince words, branding the move “illogical” and a stark indicator of “poor management” within the cricketing body.
Azhar Mahmood: The Interim Test Coach Until 2026?
The PCB’s arrangement sees Azhar Mahmood stepping into the interim head coach role for the Test squad. This temporary tenure is expected to last “until the conclusion of his current contract,” which notably extends until March 2026. Prior to this, Mahmood had been serving as an assistant coach across all three formats since April 2024, raising questions about the continuity and structure of the coaching setup.
A Pattern of Poor Decisions: The Mickey Arthur Analogy
Speaking candidly on “The Game Plan” podcast, Akmal articulated his deep confusion regarding the PCB’s rationale. He drew an immediate parallel to the controversial decision surrounding Mickey Arthur’s return in 2023. At that time, Arthur was made the team director for Pakistan while simultaneously retaining his coaching commitments with English county side Derbyshire.
“I just don’t understand the logic behind this decision,” Akmal asserted, echoing his past bewilderment. “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.” This perceived lack of full-time commitment from key coaching personnel, according to Akmal, creates an environment ripe for inconsistency.
The Revolving Door of Pakistan Test Coaches
Azhar Mahmood’s appointment marks him as the seventh Test head coach for Pakistan since 2021, highlighting a persistent instability at the helm. Akmal squarely laid the blame for Pakistan cricket’s recent struggles and perceived decline on these erratic and often short-lived appointments. He argued that such frequent changes prevent any long-term strategy from taking root, ultimately damaging the team’s cohesion and performance.
Akmal’s Core Grievance: “Lack of Seriousness” at the PCB
“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,” Akmal elaborated, detailing the procession of coaches. He sees these decisions as a profound “lack of seriousness” from the PCB.
Akmal’s central contention is that until the PCB adopts a more professional, long-term approach to its cricketing operations, it will remain mired in compromises and temporary fixes, perpetually hindering the national team’s progress.
The Call for Full-Time Commitment and Accountability
The veteran cricketer emphasized that the constant appeasement and short-term “rewards” for coaches serve no meaningful purpose. Mahmood, for instance, is not expected to continue his duties as white-ball assistant coach while in charge of the Test team, and notably, he was absent from the coaching staff during Pakistan’s recent white-ball series against Bangladesh.
“Everyone has been appeased, and now Azhar has also been rewarded,” Akmal remarked pointedly. “If you’ve made him head coach, then give him the full time and responsibility. Otherwise, what’s the point?” His message is clear: the PCB must commit fully to its coaching appointments, fostering stability and accountability, if Pakistan cricket is to truly thrive and escape its current cycle of fluctuating fortunes.
