Why Akram did not want to be a coach
PAKISTAN pace legend Wasim Akram said one of the reasons he never accepted a permanent coaching assignment with the national team was because he could not tolerate the online abuse that coaches have to endure due to the failure of the side.
“I can’t stand misbehaviour from anyone and I am not stupid. I see how people misbehave and insult coaches and seniors on social media if the team is not doing well. I don’t think I have the patience for that,” he said.
Akram said while he understood the passion of cricket fans, he could not understand the bad language and insults used on social media.
“I just think we need to ponder on the fact that whatever we say on social media reflects on what we are,” he added.
The former left-arm fast bowler said people needed to understand that coaches and support staff could only plan, guide and motivate the players, but at the end of the day, they had to perform on the field.
“Sometimes you do well, sometimes you lose. But tell me, do we see this sort of extreme reaction or misbehaviour in other countries? Have you seen Ravi Shastri being treated this way on social media? It is pretty scary for me the way people behave on social media,” Akram said.
The former skipper, however, said being with the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League allowed him to work with most of the players in the national side.
“So, it is not as if I am totally cut off from the players. They call me when they want any help or advice and I love contributing to Pakistan cricket,” he said.
Akram also dismissed fears burn out concerns of left arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.
“I don’t think he will burn out. In fact, he is getting better. He has pace, height and knows how to swing the ball both ways with the new ball. He has now improved on his bowling sense, length and has got situational awareness. He is a great talent and he will take a lot of wickets for Pakistan,” he said.
“As far as rest is concerned, we should not try to copy other countries because our cricket culture and mindset is different. He is not playing too much county or other cricket – he only plays for Pakistan. So the more he plays, he will only get better with time.”