I Am Not A Fool: Wasim Akram Cites Pakistan Players 'Humiliating' Their Coaches As A Major Reason Behind His Reluctance In Coaching The National Team

Legendary Pakistan cricketer-turned commentator, Wasim Akram, has opened up about his reluctance to take up a coaching role with the national team.

Akram, in a recent video on Cricket Pakistan’s official Youtube channel, was asked about why he hasn’t taken up any coaching role with the national team since he retired from international cricket in 2003, even though the likes of Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq having taken up multiple roles with the team.

The ‘Sultan of Swing’ responded by saying that even though he has taken up various coaching roles with franchises in T20 leagues, he can’t do the same with Pakistan or any other international team because if he does, that would mean that he will have to stay from home and give a major chunk of time to the team, which he is reluctant to commit.

‘’Firstly, if you associate yourself not just with Pakistan but with any other international team, you need to give at least 200-250 days in a year. I feel I cannot manage so much work away from Pakistan and my family. Generally, players who want any sort of advice contact me and I try to help them,” Wasim Akram said.

‘I cannot tolerate nonsense against coaches’- Wasim Akram

Akram also proceeded to take an indirect dig at Mohammad Amir when he said that he does not want to be a part of a team, whose players constantly target and humiliate their coaches on social media.

Mohammad Amir, who retired from international cricket last year, has been quite vocal in his criticism for the Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis-led team management.

Akram said that he can’t tolerate nonsense against coaches.

‘’Secondly, I am not a fool. I do look at social media and the way some players humiliate their coaches and seniors. Coaches aren’t going to play cricket, it’s the players who have to play. A coach’s job is just to plan and it isn’t completely his fault if the team is losing. I cannot tolerate nonsense against coaches” added Wasim Akram.

Wasim Akram also came down hard on journalists, alleging that the 1992 World Cup winner indirectly runs the PCB.

“I do read newspapers and I am aware of which journalist talks about me controlling PCB. But I feel that all the credible journalists in Pakistan need to do a bit of homework. I don’t have the time to run PCB, I am just in the committee and that is an honorary job.” he signed off.

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