Wasim Akram hits out at former Pakistan players for not applying for head coach

Former Pakistan captain believes Micky Arthur needs time to turn things around

Former Pakistan captain and fast-bowling great Wasim Akram has lashed out at former Pakistan players for not applying for the post of head coach left vacant after Waqar Younis's resignation.

The 1992 World Cup final man-of-the-match award winner, along with former Pakistan opener and famous commentator Ramiz Raja, was part of a two-member committee formed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to select the new head coach of the national team.



In a veiled jibe at former Pakistan players Mohsin Khan and Aaqib Javed, Akram while speaking to a local channel said, "What sort of attitude and mindset is this. One former player said I will apply and talk directly to the chairman. When you have such a mindset how can one expect them to work well with the Pakistan team."

Further, Akram said the new coach will need some time to turn things around. “Don't expect Arthur to do wonders immediately,” he said. “One should not expect him to bring about improvement immediately as our team is currently languishing at ninth position in ODI rankings. Even he will require time to turn things around."

The 49-year-old, who is currently in India working as a Team Mentor and Bowling Coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, also warned the fans to not keep high hopes from the team for their upcoming tour of England, which will start in July. “England tour is a tough challenge for Pakistan,” he said. "Don't expect them [England] to prepare flat pitches for our batsmen. The Duke ball will seam and swing on grassy pitches and it will be a real test for our batsmen to negotiate the ball.”



The former left-arm fast-bowler, who is also known as the ‘Sultan of Swing’, also revealed that he does not agree with the decision of the selection committee to drop duo Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal on disciplinary grounds.  "If we drop players on purely disciplinary grounds, than let me tell you many of our era would not have even played for Pakistan including myself,” he added. “I think if a player has a problem, it is the job of the team management and captain to deal with it and get him to perform.”