'Can’t tolerate misbehaviour': Wasim Akram explains why he doesn't want to coach Pakistan

Ever since Pakistan head coach Misbah ul Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis stepped down from their posts, the hunt for the new coaching staff has intensified. Legendary Wasim Akram has enough experience of coaching, having previously being part of the coaching setup of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Indian Premier League (IPL) and PSL franchises, and many feel he is an apt candidate to take over the reins of the Pakistan team. Wasim is highly respected and will be well accepted by the players. However, the veteran strangely does not want to coach Pakistan.

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Akram opined that being a head coach of the team requires stiff commitments which he is not ready to give at the moment. He added that he has worked with most of the youngsters in PSL thus if they need any advice they can directly get in touch with him. Post his retirement as a cricketer in 2003, the fast bowler established himself as a very successful commentator. “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.

Akram further said the Pakistan fans are very attached to the game and every time the team does not do well, they start slamming the coach, adding that he cannot tolerate such misbehaviour. “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 ones 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.”

“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 misbehavior that is shown on social media. It shows what we are. I have never seen this happen in other countries.” Akram added.

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Meanwhile, Pakistan will go into the T20 World Cup without a regular coach. PCB though have hired Aussie legend Matthew Hayden and South Africa veteran Vernon Philander as batting and bowling coach respectively. The Men in Green open their campaign against India on October 24 in Dubai.