Pakistan: Wasim Akram slams former cricketers for not applying for the position of head coach

Pakistan bowling legend Wasim Akram lashed out at former Pakistani cricketers who refused to apply for the post of the coach's position just because he was involved in the process of shortlisting candidates.

Akram did not take names of the former cricketers, but said that he was disappointed to hear that some ex-players did not want to apply for the post because they felt him, along with the former captain Rameez Raja had advised the Pakistan Cricket Board to appoint a foreign coach.

"What sort of attitude and mindset is this. One former player said I will apply and talk directly to the chairman. When you have such a mindset, how can one expect them to work well with the Pakistan team?" Akram said as quoted by Firstpost.

Rated as one of the best left-arm bowlers of all-time, Akram maintained that Raja and his involvement will only help the PCB in shortlisting candidates. Mohsin Khan had previously said that he would not apply to his juniors or players with tainted past, which could have compelled Akram to lash out.

With the appointment of Mickey Arthur as head coach of Pakistan, there is a lot of expectation that the Men In Green will rise in world rankings, Akram though has asked the public to temper their expectations and give him time.

"One should not expect him to bring about improvement immediately, as our team is currently languishing in ninth position in the ODI rankings. Even he will require time to turn things around. It is shameful but this downslide has not happened overnight, it is a result of the fact that our domestic cricket structure has lost its competitive edge and is not producing quality players for a while now," the former pacer said.

The Pakistan team will be next seen in action in July when they tour England for four Test matches, five ODIs and a solitary T20 game.