The former Pakistan skipper and legendary speedster Wasim Akram has revealed the real reason behind him not becoming the coach of the Pakistan national cricket team.
Wasim Akram was part of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning team and he was also the captain of the team in the 1999 ICC World Cup where Pakistan reached the finals of the tournament. Other than that he was part of the support staff of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and has been involved in several Pakistan Super League (PSL) staff setups over the years.
Speaking on the show ‘Cricket Corner’ on Cricket Pakistan, the 55-year-old was questioned about him not participating in Pakistan’s coaching setup, to which Akram replied he can’t manage the workload of a full-time national team coach. He asserted:
“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 and they keep asking for advice,” Akram said in the interview to Cricket Pakistan.
“I am not a fool. I keep on hearing and seeing on social media how people misbehave with their coaches and seniors. The coach isn’t the one playing. The players are the one playing. The coach can only help with the planning. So, if the team loses, I don’t think the coach is as responsible or accountable as we hold him as a nation.”
Wasim Akram clearly mentioned that he can’t tolerate anyone misbehaving with him. Akram stated:
“So, I’m afraid of that as well, because I can’t tolerate anyone misbehaving with me. And we are becoming like that. I love the people, their enthusiasm and passion for the game, but not the misbehaviour that is shown on social media. It shows what we are. I have never seen this happen in other countries.”
