Pakistan Test cricket finished last in 2023-25 WTC cycle. Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has made a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for appointing Azhar Mahmood as interim coach of the Test team. “I just don’t understand the logic behind this decision,” Akmal said on the YouTube show ‘The Game Plan’ podcast.” 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,” he added. Azhar Mahmood, former Pakistan all-rounder is Pakistan’s seventh Test head coach since 2021. He will take over from Aaqib Javed.
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“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,” said Akmal.“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,” he added.Since Azhar’s appointment is only interim, Pakistan will begin the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle under somewhat unstable circumstances. In the previous WTC cycle, they ended at the bottom of the table, managing only five victories in 14 matches. Following the series against Sri Lanka, their next challenge will be a three-Test tour of England — their sole three-match series in this WTC cycle and their first Test tour of England since 2020.“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?” said Akmal.
