Karachi: Legendary Pakistani fast bowler and former skipper Wasim Akram recently talked about not taking up the prestigious post of head coach of the Pakistan national cricket team, saying that he will not be able to give the time that a full-time coaching job demands and he can’t stand online abuse from anyone.
One of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the ‘gentlemen’s game’, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram was known for his ability to swing the ball both ways throughout his distinguished playing career. Akram played a key role in Pakistan’s first World Cup victory in the 1992 World Cup tournament. Known as the ‘Sultan of Swing’, the Pakistani speedster also captained the Green Army, which made it to the final of the 1999 World Cup.
“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 interaction with Cricket Pakistan.
In this day and age, the use of social media to express your views has become a common practice. Often we see someone or the other getting trolled on social media, quite often, it is said in very harsh words. There are times when celebs become a victim of trolling for hilarious and bizarre reasons or no reason at all. Wasim Akram also cited the same stating that he can’t tolerate misbehaviour from anyone which is also a reason for him to refrain from coaching the national team.
“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.”
“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, Cricket is the ultimate game here, but not the misbehavior that is shown on social media. It shows what we are. I have never seen this happen in other countries.” He added.
Last month, Misbah-ul-Haq resigned from the position of the head coach of the Pakistan team along with Waqar Younis, who also stepped down as the bowling coach. Pakistan Cricket Board has now roped in former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq as coaches of the team for ICC T20 World Cup, starting later this month.
