PCB mulls appointing Shoaib Akhtar as bowling consultant

[MenInG]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering appointing former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar as the national team’s bowling consultant, according to reports on Wednesday. The cricket board, following the appointment of Shahid Afridi to the PCB’s Management Committee, is mulling over approaching the right-arm pacer for his expertise in the game. Akhtar might be given a key role for the national team in the coming days, as per the reports.

Sources said the former ace pacer has already been contacted and he has also shown interest in working to improve the performance of the players. Akhtar will soon meet the chairman of the PCB management committee, Najam Sethi, in Lahore. During the meeting, the former pacer is likely to be offered a role in PCB. According to the sources, Akhtar had also shown interest in playing important role in the policy-making of the board. After his retirement from cricket, the bowler – also known as Rawalpindi Express – had several times raised his voice to make improvements in the Pakistani team. The 47-year-old former right-arm pacer is a record-holder for bowling the fastest delivery – 161.3 kph – to be bowled in cricket’s history.

The PCB’s Management Committee had also appointed former Pakistan captain Afridi as the interim chair of the selection committee for the home series against New Zealand. The decision was made under the chairmanship of Sethi after the government approved his appointment as the PCB’s chairman. Other members of the panel are Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftikhar Anjum, while Haroon Rashid (member Management Committee) will be the Convener.

DT

[MenInG]

Think this will be an ideal role for him to start with.

[Savak]

Have seen these unsubstantiated reports before. Shoaib strikes me as someone who wants an easy life and to not be held accountable. I doubt he will take on such a role

[Jabo]

Lol

why don't they just bring in waqar younis as a headcoach for the 30th time too

[MenInG]

Have seen these unsubstantiated reports before. Shoaib strikes me as someone who wants an easy life and to not be held accountable. I doubt he will take on such a role

The consultant will be the best role

1. Provides fame
2. Less work

Win-win

[MenInG]

Just so we know who he is....

Tap to see what happens when the speed gets to 100#RawalpindiExpress pic.twitter.com/r7EVfjd1JP

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 19, 2023

[SamNJ]

I heard he is not ready to accept anything less than PCB chief role.

[emranabbas]

Lol

why don't they just bring in waqar younis as a headcoach for the 30th time too

When was the last time shoaib aktar was a coach for PCT?

[MenInG]

Akhtar deserves a chance as long as he wants to do

For him, it's time to walk the talk and help out. He's been very vocal so needs to step up

[Rana]

He should be chief selector

Not some token bowling consultant role

[MenInG]

He should be chief selector

Not some token bowling consultant role

Then he should ask PCB for that asap.

[oatmeal]

He's not a good influence on young bowlers with his outsized ego and love for attention. Very talented bowler but I dont think he will make a good coach or consultant

[Rana]

If Shoaib becomes the chief Selector

He is going to pick the players he wants without any pathetic ‘green signal’ from Sethi

If Sethi messes around with him, Shoaib will not let it go quietly

[TheSultan]

The team badly needs someone like shoaib around them - preferably with a bat to hand to keep them focused.

[the Great Khan]

As with all things shoaib this will be another tamasha and will end in tears.

[Major]

this is a recipi for disaster..

no need, stay away from this guy. He fought on live tv for gods sake. Dont think PTV hired him afterwards. The guy is a bigger lunatic than Younis Khan.

Bring Shoaib, and it will end just like how Younis tenure ended. Goes on tv and says "i cant tell you because my contract says so and so, but yes that did happen".

[Rana]

this is a recipi for disaster..

no need, stay away from this guy. He fought on live tv for gods sake. Dont think PTV hired him afterwards. The guy is a bigger lunatic than Younis Khan.

Bring Shoaib, and it will end just like how Younis tenure ended. Goes on tv and says "i cant tell you because my contract says so and so, but yes that did happen".

At least the affects of it will be short lived

Unlike the sustained damage caused by any influence applied by Misbah even in his short tenures

[muqarrab]

Couldn't pick a more unhinged guy

[Kianig89]

Akhtar is another lazy bum can't expect from him to do the hard yards, find someone from County circuit like Eng unearthed gems David Saker and Chris Silverwood

[Arabian_Tiger]

He's not a good influence on young bowlers with his outsized ego and love for attention. Very talented bowler but I dont think he will make a good coach or consultant

He would make players to show DALERI and do BADMAASHI..😎

[Hyder]

For once i think it might be a good gamble. This teams is too soft atm

[Saj]

Get him working with some of the Under 19 guys for a few weeks and see if he is serious about coaching and up to the mark.

Sometimes people have a lot to say but when it comes to walking the walk, they can't do it.

If he does well with the Under 19s, only then should PCB even think about appointing him as some sort of bowling consultant.

[Markhor]

Once again we are making the mistake of hiring a name instead of a properly credentialed coach.

I don't know when Pakistan fans will get it in their heads that being a big name ex-player doesn't qualify you to be a coach. The skillset is totally different. Many players had natural gifts which they struggle to articulate when in coaching roles. I'm not saying Shoaib lacks technical knowledge - but what coaching experience does he possess ?

Even that aside, Shoaib was mired in controversy after controversy in his career. He was busted for nandrolone then feigned an injury before the 2007 World Cup (as the substance would've still shown up on testing). He was guilty of ball tampering, struck a teammate with a bat, and claimed Danish Kaneria was victim of religious discrimination within the team for YouTube clicks. Somebody like that doesn't belong in a professional organisation, but this is PCB we're talking about.

[shariqnoor]

These type of characters when they are not in the team as playing members are actually a nuisance to the team and actually do more harm than good.

Shoaib Akhtar falls into the Roy Keane mould. When Roy Keane blasted his own teammates publicly, Sir Alex Ferguson ended his Man United career and sold him. Roy Keane tried his luck at management and got seriously exposed because his sort of character and demeanor just simply does not work.

Shoaib Akhtar will be a terrible selection. You need people in decision making roles who have a sound head on their shoulders and have the ability to remove emotions from the job they are doing. Shoaib's strategy is only going to revolve around daleri, jazba, tagrapan. Mavericks are good as playing members, not as coaches. In the same vein, a Kevin Pietersen will be an awful coach.

[shariqnoor]

Also nobody deserves a chance just because they have been ranting on TV. If ranting is the criteria for a job, then Allah Hafiz Pakistan cricket.

[Kraetoz]

Once again we are making the mistake of hiring a name instead of a properly credentialed coach.

I don't know when Pakistan fans will get it in their heads that being a big name ex-player doesn't qualify you to be a coach. The skillset is totally different. Many players had natural gifts which they struggle to articulate when in coaching roles. I'm not saying Shoaib lacks technical knowledge - but what coaching experience does he possess ?

Even that aside, Shoaib was mired in controversy after controversy in his career. He was busted for nandrolone then feigned an injury before the 2007 World Cup (as the substance would've still shown up on testing). He was guilty of ball tampering, struck a teammate with a bat, and claimed Danish Kaneria was victim of religious discrimination within the team for YouTube clicks. Somebody like that doesn't belong in a professional organisation, but this is PCB we're talking about.

What i have seen Pakistani team struggling in the recent past is on the tactical front. For that you do need a good ex cricketer as coach, not necessarily a Pakistani, preferably an ex captain who can just work on the tactical front, don't want to mention Bazball here, but Brendon Mccullum has done a great job so far. Ex cricketers aren't necessarily a bad thing.

[Bewal Express]

Just a PR stunt. No doubt he could work with them for a few days but the whole bowling coach/consultant is a scam that makes no difference. Bowlers improve by playing, self analysis,seeking help on technical issues when needed. As one famous pundit and ex player put it, all bowlers plan can be summarised into a simple sentence- hit the top off

[TheSultan]

What people aren’t looking at is that we are pretty much at rock bottom and need to change the status quo.

All this mentality of flowers and rainbows, has got to go. No sucking up to the opposition, no blowing kisses, no hugging the opposition like rizwan does at every opportunity.

Play the game hard on the pitch.

Shoaib is not just an option, he’s a necessity

[Markhor]

What i have seen Pakistani team struggling in the recent past is on the tactical front. For that you do need a good ex cricketer as coach, not necessarily a Pakistani, preferably an ex captain who can just work on the tactical front, don't want to mention Bazball here, but Brendon Mccullum has done a great job so far. Ex cricketers aren't necessarily a bad thing.

If the ex-player knows what they're talking about then fair enough.

However hiring Shoaib Akhtar as bowling coach, who's never coached a school team, because he was a "phaast" and "aggressive" bowler in his day is a nonsense.

On his YouTube channel, we rarely hear anything other than cliches like the team needing "jazba" and "daleri" instead of any tactical, technical, or data-driven analysis.

We also know the crazy statements he's prone to making so his man management skills are questionable too.

[shaz619]

If the ex-player knows what they're talking about then fair enough.

However hiring Shoaib Akhtar as bowling coach, who's never coached a school team, because he was a "phaast" and "aggressive" bowler in his day is a nonsense.

On his YouTube channel, we rarely hear anything other than cliches like the team needing "jazba" and "daleri" instead of any tactical, technical, or data-driven analysis.

We also know the crazy statements he's prone to making so his man management skills are questionable too.

Am pretty sure Ian Pont said something along the lines of Akhtar understanding fast bowling on a personal level better than most, that’s high praise.

I agree he needs some experience. Starting out smaller would have been better though

[shaz619]

A better “radical” choice would be M.Asif in my opinion

[Saj]

Why should he be brought in with no qualifications or experience and then walk away.

That would be a slap in the face of all the coaches who have worked hard to gain qualifications and toiled in domestic and junior cricket for years.

[DeadlyVenom]

This is how Shoaibs tenure will pan out.

Nice videos encouraging bowlers to show courage.

Footage of him describing his knees and feet and how he overcame the odds to make it.

Frustrated statements when bowlers get smashed.

Elaborate resignation explaining how he was misused but he is always ready to serve Pakistan cricket.

Post resignation Youtube vids lambasting the set up and praising India.

[the Great Khan]

What people aren’t looking at is that we are pretty much at rock bottom and need to change the status quo.

All this mentality of flowers and rainbows, has got to go. No sucking up to the opposition, no blowing kisses, no hugging the opposition like rizwan does at every opportunity.

Play the game hard on the pitch.

Shoaib is not just an option, he’s a necessity

Rock bottom? Lol you lot have zero clue what that feels like..this is far from rock bottom. Try 2010 when amir and Co got busted along with butt..and the malik mafia..now that's Rock bottom. Or Mr nadrolone getting done..or WC99 final..

You gen z lot think you've seen it all by watching a few babar matches lol..

[the Great Khan]

This is how Shoaibs tenure will pan out.

Nice videos encouraging bowlers to show courage.

Footage of him describing his knees and feet and how he overcame the odds to make it.

Frustrated statements when bowlers get smashed.

Elaborate resignation explaining how he was misused but he is always ready to serve Pakistan cricket.

Post resignation Youtube vids lambasting the set up and praising India.

You forgot doling out some meds to the bowlers so they get as big as him..

[TheSultan]

Rock bottom? Lol you lot have zero clue what that feels like..this is far from rock bottom. Try 2010 when amir and Co got busted along with butt..and the malik mafia..now that's Rock bottom. Or Mr nadrolone getting done..or WC99 final..

You gen z lot think you've seen it all by watching a few babar matches lol..

Gen Z? I’m probably older than you - I’ve been watching cricket since 1982.

1999 WC final was not rock bottom - we’d just lost a World Cup final after a great year. it may have been a slide down from then, but certainly not rock bottom.

Amir, Asif, Butt was bad, but more from a non cricketing perspective.

This is Rock Bottom, I’ve never seen such a pathetically meek Pakistan team. You just got whitewashed by England at home, you haven’t won a test in 8 matches at home and not even looked close to winning one apart from the last match Vs New Zealand and even that glimmer of hope at the end had nothing to do with our meek captain who bottled it yet again.

I thought Inzi’s tenure was meek, then Misbah outdone him. And now Babar has taken it even further.

In fact you’re closer to Gen Z by appreciating all the flowery behaviour by our team.

[GLORY OF '92]

Gen Z? I’m probably older than you - I’ve been watching cricket since 1982.

1999 WC final was not rock bottom - we’d just lost a World Cup final after a great year. it may have been a slide down from then, but certainly not rock bottom.

Amir, Asif, Butt was bad, but more from a non cricketing perspective.

This is Rock Bottom, I’ve never seen such a pathetically meek Pakistan team. You just got whitewashed by England at home, you haven’t won a test in 8 matches at home and not even looked close to winning one apart from the last match Vs New Zealand and even that glimmer of hope at the end had nothing to do with our meek captain who bottled it yet again.

I thought Inzi’s tenure was meek, then Misbah outdone him. And now Babar has taken it even further.

In fact you’re closer to Gen Z by appreciating all the flowery behaviour by our team.

POTW. This team is utterly meek. No fight no passion no personality.

So bland. And like the roads they like to play cricket on very easily driven over.

[Hawkeye]

Tell you what.

It'll be good for a change.

I'll totally back his appointment, head coach will be even better!

Let's see if that jazba n daleri gets translated to actual cricketing performance. Worth trying.

[Rana]

Rock bottom? Lol you lot have zero clue what that feels like..this is far from rock bottom. Try 2010 when amir and Co got busted along with butt..and the malik mafia..now that's Rock bottom. Or Mr nadrolone getting done..or WC99 final..

You gen z lot think you've seen it all by watching a few babar matches lol..

That was bad but this is pure rubbish too

[moghul]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering appointing former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar as the national team’s bowling consultant, according to reports on Wednesday. The cricket board, following the appointment of Shahid Afridi to the PCB’s Management Committee, is mulling over approaching the right-arm pacer for his expertise in the game. Akhtar might be given a key role for the national team in the coming days, as per the reports.

Sources said the former ace pacer has already been contacted and he has also shown interest in working to improve the performance of the players. Akhtar will soon meet the chairman of the PCB management committee, Najam Sethi, in Lahore. During the meeting, the former pacer is likely to be offered a role in PCB. According to the sources, Akhtar had also shown interest in playing important role in the policy-making of the board. After his retirement from cricket, the bowler – also known as Rawalpindi Express – had several times raised his voice to make improvements in the Pakistani team. The 47-year-old former right-arm pacer is a record-holder for bowling the fastest delivery – 161.3 kph – to be bowled in cricket’s history.

The PCB’s Management Committee had also appointed former Pakistan captain Afridi as the interim chair of the selection committee for the home series against New Zealand. The decision was made under the chairmanship of Sethi after the government approved his appointment as the PCB’s chairman. Other members of the panel are Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftikhar Anjum, while Haroon Rashid (member Management Committee) will be the Convener.

DT

Bad idea, really a bad one , he cannot get along with anyone ,will end up leaving or getting sacked in a short period of time .

[Guardian]

Shoaib will be fantastic. He understands biomechanics more than most professional bowling coaches. Where is 'Pacy with Wisdom'? He knew all about this!

[hitthestump]

A better “radical” choice would be M.Asif in my opinion

Asif would be superb but just like Amir, he is shameless and seemingly couldn't care less for his country.

Both are living cushy lives and haven't paid the slightest bit attention to the national team.

[Snowflake]

This regime has gone to the dogs

Shoaib Akhtar as a coach? Who in their right mind can even think that!!

[KyoOne]

He would be a brilliant choice.

Anyone who has seen Shoaib in Star Sports Hindi commentary and post match analysis, would know how deeply Shoaib knows pace bowling, how to set batsmen up and technicalities.

As an active cricketer, he was very hardworking sportsperson himself, burning himself in gyms and nets and giving his all in Internationals despite pain, etc.

Alongside his passion and patriotism, he also had an intelligent head on his shoulders. Tauqeer Zia offered Shoaib captaincy in 2003, but Shoaib refused saying he'd not be an ideal candidate to take Pakistan cricket forward post WC2003 humiliation. In those days Shoaib had such a charisma that Naseem Ashraf had reportedly wanted Shoaib to bowl to him in nets and even marry his daughter lols. Majority of controversies of Shoaib arose during Naseem Ashraf's tenure as a witchhunt for Shoaib's refusal.

Would be interesting times if he's given the nod as a bowling consultant

[KyoOne]

Gen Z? I’m probably older than you - I’ve been watching cricket since 1982.

1999 WC final was not rock bottom - we’d just lost a World Cup final after a great year. it may have been a slide down from then, but certainly not rock bottom.

Amir, Asif, Butt was bad, but more from a non cricketing perspective.

This is Rock Bottom, I’ve never seen such a pathetically meek Pakistan team. You just got whitewashed by England at home, you haven’t won a test in 8 matches at home and not even looked close to winning one apart from the last match Vs New Zealand and even that glimmer of hope at the end had nothing to do with our meek captain who bottled it yet again.

I thought Inzi’s tenure was meek, then Misbah outdone him. And now Babar has taken it even further.

In fact you’re closer to Gen Z by appreciating all the flowery behaviour by our team.

POTW. This team is utterly meek. No fight no passion no personality.

So bland. And like the roads they like to play cricket on very easily driven over.

I second that. Babar Azam era is so boring and meek. We need an overhaul of our cricketing setup

[abughio]

I have been watching cricket for long .. But Misbah's era was the worst for me. Izzat se harna logic was worst for any international team.

This era is at the very least better than Misbah's. We are loosing but with little tweak we can start winning. For me in this era, the worst thing was Mo Wasim's attitude. He wasn't accepting his mistakes. While Misbah's era was so torturous and no hope for light in the tunnel

[TheSultan]

I have been watching cricket for long .. But Misbah's era was the worst for me. Izzat se harna logic was worst for any international team.

This era is at the very least better than Misbah's. We are loosing but with little tweak we can start winning. For me in this era, the worst thing was Mo Wasim's attitude. He wasn't accepting his mistakes. While Misbah's era was so torturous and no hope for light in the tunnel

I am kind of inclined to agree with this. Our fast bowling (when at its best and fittest) is certainly a lot better to watch than during Misbah’s era where he gave very step motherly treatment to fast bowling. Our current fast bowlers have a lot of ingredients of success but I’d like them to man up a bit, get fitter and have more ambition.

However, our current batting and their attitude/approach is terrible. Misbah was lucky a lot of his faults were covered by an ATG in Younis Khan, the non Asian team’s pathetic skills vs Spin at that time and a purple patch from Sarfraz

I would say it was Misbah that indoctrinated a generation with his meek attitude and this is the culmination of it.

We need something different, it’s getting ridiculous now. I want someone to come in and shake the guys up, slap them if they have to, to wake them up from their slumber.

[Nikhil_cric]

Daler! Jazba ! Tagrapan! Badmashi! I say why not? Considering the village level trundling Pakistan do in Test matches , SA may just bring the old flame back to PAK's Test bowling.

[Nasty Naz]

What coaching experience does he even have? Being a good player and a good coach are two entirely different things. Has a former big player hire ever worked for PCB in the past? They keep doing it but it hasn't worked and it won't work.

I am not even sure what advise he'll be giving to the bowlers anyways. He was not a bowler that outsmarted other batsmen, he just blew them away with his pace. Telling bowlers to bowl fast isn't exactly a great strategy.

[TheSultan]

What coaching experience does he even have? Being a good player and a good coach are two entirely different things. Has a former big player hire ever worked for PCB in the past? They keep doing it but it hasn't worked and it won't work.

I am not even sure what advise he'll be giving to the bowlers anyways. He was not a bowler that outsmarted other batsmen, he just blew them away with his pace. Telling bowlers to bowl fast isn't exactly a great strategy.

What coaching experience, selector experience did Misbah have? He was made the supremo. What coaching experience did Shaun Tait have apart from a random stint with Afghanistan who hired him themselves with zero or little coaching experience?

Even Saqi - he’s been a spin consultant, not a head coach.

Ideally yes, you should have someone with coaching experience. But if you’re generally going to go the random route, then you might aswell get someone who might change the current gutter mindset of the team.

[MenInG]

As a bowling consultant Shoaib could inculcate Daleri + Jazba in our bowlers so maybe worth a try.

[ask_analyse_act]

Tell you what.

It'll be good for a change.

I'll totally back his appointment, head coach will be even better!

Let's see if that jazba n daleri gets translated to actual cricketing performance. Worth trying.

It is non-existent at this time of age , cricket is now played with skills, data-driven , tactics , mind games etc )

Boards are spending so much money to have great supporting staff to bring the best out of players..

If jazba n daleri is behind this appointment , then it will have its own consequences..

[emranabbas]

It is non-existent at this time of age , cricket is now played with skills, data-driven , tactics , mind games etc )

Boards are spending so much money to have great supporting staff to bring the best out of players..

If jazba n daleri is behind this appointment , then it will have its own consequences..

I'm not sure how familiar you are with cricket or have had any experience playing cricket but more then 50% of your game depends on your mindet
If you are going out their in the hope of not losing then you will not win and this is the mindset and attitude of our players and and fans
Our players need to be positive they need support staff that is positive you need to be on that ground to win. People like shoaib will get best out the players and give them confidence to win games
We need to get out of this negativity it isn't 2010 anymore where we going through an embarrassment due to fixers and the terrorist attack that happened in pak

In the current setup only fakhar shaheen and shadab are playing positive cricket
Yes they are risky but even in life you have to take risks sometimes it favours sometimes it don't

[Rana]

As a bowling consultant Shoaib could inculcate Daleri + Jazba in our bowlers so maybe worth a try.

Our Batsmen need it more

[Golden arm]

He would be a brilliant choice.


Anyone who has seen Shoaib in Star Sports Hindi commentary and post match analysis, would know how deeply Shoaib knows pace bowling, how to set batsmen up and technicalities.

As an active cricketer, he was very hardworking sportsperson himself, burning himself in gyms and nets and giving his all in Internationals despite pain, etc.

Alongside his passion and patriotism, he also had an intelligent head on his shoulders. Tauqeer Zia offered Shoaib captaincy in 2003, but Shoaib refused saying he'd not be an ideal candidate to take Pakistan cricket forward post WC2003 humiliation. In those days Shoaib had such a charisma that Naseem Ashraf had reportedly wanted Shoaib to bowl to him in nets and even marry his daughter lols. Majority of controversies of Shoaib arose during Naseem Ashraf's tenure as a witchhunt for Shoaib's refusal.

Would be interesting times if he's given the nod as a bowling consultant

He had very good relationship with tauqir zia. Also it was tauqir zia's daughter who followed shoaib akhtar

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Look, there’s Shoaib Akhtar the media personality. Then, there’s Shoaib Akhtar the man.

I would not base my opinion on Shoaib’s usefulness based on his attention grabbing comments on YouTube, but rather based on his playing career.

He is somebody who maximised and sacrificed his body to be the best version of himself. He adjusted his action to be more effective. And he was someone with a winning mentality.

I don’t think Shoaib has either coaching skills or the qualifications. However, in a consultants role, he could mentor these lads, sort out their bowling plans and make them meaner, more impactful bowlers Vs the sportsmen
, good guy pace attack we currently have.

I think, as long as it’s a consultant’s role, he’ll leave the current pacers better than what they are now.

[Abdullah]

As with all things shoaib this will be another tamasha and will end in tears.

Precisely. The only reason his YouTube channel works for him is because he is on his own!!

[Mirpuri Don]

Shoaib Akhtar might not have the "qualifications" or the technicalities how to’s but he’s a character — some would say has an ego —, something which usually could be negative but here could be a net positive, as he’ll set aims and be sure that the whole set-up (players but also management) follow his "orders".

I think he can be a proactive option to be tried, if not results at the very least you’ll get "changes".

[Saj]

There are a lot of people in Pakistan cricket who can talk the talk, but can't walk the walk.

I think Akhtar might be in this category.

I'm not even sure if he has any coaching qualifications and experience, so how can you give someone in that position a key role within your cricketing structure.

[The_KING]

Shoaib Akthar is a toxic egomaniac who needs to be kept as far as possible from the Pakistan team.

He know nothing about cricket, when it comes to tactics. It is all about daleri, jazuba, baadmashi and all that nonsense. He is nothing but a passion merchant. No tactical nous, no game awareness, nothing. He shouldn't be anywhere near any coaching assignment.

[Cricket-lion]

Akhtar would never accept the role under these clowns who are running PCB at the moment.