Kamran Akmal Slams PCB's Azhar Mahmood Appointment Amid Coaching Instability

Former Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal has launched a stinging criticism against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their decision to appoint Azhar Mahmood as the interim coach of the Test team.

Pakistan's Test cricket team finished last in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle.

Akmal voiced his disapproval on 'The Game Plan' podcast, stating, "I just don’t understand the logic behind this decision." He drew parallels to a previous controversial decision, "It’s exactly like the time PCB made Mickey Arthur director of cricket while allowing him to continue working with a county team."

Akmal emphasized his confusion, adding, "I couldn’t understand it then, and I can’t understand it now."

Azhar Mahmood, a former Pakistani all-rounder, is now the seventh Test head coach for Pakistan since 2021. He succeeds Aaqib Javed in the role.

Akmal criticized the frequent changes in coaching staff, stating, "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."

He further added, "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."

With Azhar's appointment being only interim, Pakistan faces a period of instability as they begin the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. In the previous WTC cycle, they finished at the bottom, securing only five wins in 14 matches. Following a series against Sri Lanka, their next challenge involves a three-Test tour of England – their only three-match series in this WTC cycle and their first Test tour of England since 2020.

Akmal questioned the rationale behind the interim appointment, "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?"