Akmal Blasts PCB's Azhar Mahmood Appointment, Cites "Lack of Seriousness"

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.

Pakistan's Test cricket performance disappoints in WTC cycle.

Akmal voiced his concerns on 'The Game Plan' podcast on YouTube, stating, "I just don’t understand the logic behind this decision." He drew parallels to the PCB's previous appointment of Mickey Arthur as director of cricket, while Arthur simultaneously worked with a county team. "I couldn’t understand it then, and I can’t understand it now," Akmal reiterated.

Azhar Mahmood, a former Pakistan all-rounder, is the seventh Test head coach Pakistan has had since 2021. He is stepping in to replace Aaqib Javed.

Akmal expressed his frustration, "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 further added, “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."

Mahmood's appointment being only interim means Pakistan will enter the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle under uncertain conditions. In the previous WTC cycle, the team finished at the bottom, securing only five wins out of 14 matches. After the series against Sri Lanka, they are scheduled for a three-Test tour of England, which will be their only three-match series in this WTC cycle and their first Test tour of England since 2020.

Akmal questioned the rationale behind the decision, stating, “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?”