Former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram has said that when seven cricketers and two coaches return midway through a tour, it is embarrassing for the team and also shows a lack of communication, as he slammed the team management for taking bizarre decisions during the ongoing tour of England.
Pakistan have lurched from one crisis to another during their ill-fated tour of England, which is now all set to end with a 16th Test loss in their last 21 games.
After their 194-run loss in the second Test, Pakistan released seven players and sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul, before making four changes to their team in Birmingham.
“Consistency is the key, of course, but for how long? When seven players and two coaches return in the middle of a tour, it’s embarrassing for the team and the captain and it also shows there is a lack of communication,” Akram said while speaking on Furqan Bhatti’s YouTube channel.
Akram believes Pakistan still have enough talent to compete at the highest level, having gained close insight into the nation’s cricketers through his experience with various Pakistan Super League teams.
“I have been involved in the PSL with these teams for the past four to five years, so I have seen the situation closely. In my view, the talent is there. Coaches may change, but the core players remain largely the same,” Akram said.
A 3-0 series victory over Pakistan at the start of Joe Root’s second stint as the permanent captain will be a massive boost.
The mood has changed for a team that was in turmoil just weeks ago after a series loss to New Zealand and the departures of head coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes.
Before the battering at England’s hands, Pakistan also lost a two-match Test series in Bangladesh 0-2.
