Mohammad Akram Appointed Pakistan Bowling Coach

[Saj]

Former Pakistan, Surrey, Sussex, Northamptonshire, Essex and Allied Bank pace bowler Mohammad Akram has been appointed the Pakistan bowling coach by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Rawalpindi born Akram played 32 matches for Pakistan between September 1995 and March 2001 and was generally regarded as one of Pakistan's fastest bowlers. The 37 year old took 36 wickets in those 32 international matches including a Test best 5 for 138. A wholehearted performer, his international chances were limited largely due to the world class talents of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis who were automatic selections throughout their career.

In addition to his international experience, Akram has experience of Pakistan domestic cricket as well as county cricket with a number of high profile county teams in England. Akram has 415 wickets in 125 first class matches as well as 148 wickets in 129 List A matches.

Akram who has recently been coaching in the United Kingdom, was backed for the role by the likes of Rashid Latif and Azhar Mahmood both of whom felt that he was the right man for the job given his experience of Pakistan cricket, his experience of English County cricket and his ability to interact with the current group of international players and upcoming cricketers in Pakistan.

Speaking with PakPassion.net a source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board stated "After much debate and discussions the PCB has chosen Mohammad Akram as the Pakistan bowling coach. The PCB chose Akram as he has a good rapport with the current group of Pakistani cricketers, they know him and he has experience of Pakistan domestic cricket and also a lot of experience in County cricket."

The source added "Akram will not just work with the current group of international bowlers, he will also be expected to work with the upcoming bowlers at the National Cricket Academy as well as at grass roots levels with a particular emphasis on grooming and preparing the next generation of fast bowlers for Pakistan."

Akram was backed for the role by a number of former Pakistani first class cricketers including Rashid Latif and Azhar Mahmood and is expected to commence the role as early as next month.

[Speedster1]

Congrats Akram!

[Rizwan25]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Uzi]

Has Akram got any coaching experience at all?

[Amjid Javed]

Well done, i guess with him having good links to PP we should get some exclusives to what our bowling resources are really like.

[MenInG]

Excellent news and good to see some home grown talent being utilized but does he have the technical depth?

[waqar_ahmad]

I used to a fan of his in his playing days. Was hard done by politics in the team. Very talented bowler.

The only issue I have is that he wasnt good at reversing the ball, the traditional pakistani trait, that I think, should be part of any pak bowling coach's resume

[shah_1]

I hope he does good things for Pakistan but he was a very average bowler and controversial person


I only remember him for one thing only that is when Pakistan threatened to walk out of South Africa tour 1998 when Pakistan board accused Akram and Mushtaq being mugged outside the hotel. The rumours began to circulate that the injury they carried were due to a bar brawl. The bar was a local strip club.

[MenInG]

We have to remember that coaches dont need to be exceptional bowlers.

[AdeelSabih]

I was hoping for Mr. Pont.

[Legend Killer]

Best of luck to him, hope he does well

[Legend Killer]

Originally Posted by waqar_ahmad I used to a fan of his in his playing days. Was hard done by politics in the team. Very talented bowler. The only issue I have is that he wasnt good at reversing the ball, the traditional pakistani trait, that I think, should be part of any pak bowling coach's resume

More than politics , i think he was unlucky cause he had to compete with Akthar, Wasim,Waqar and Zahid for a spot in the team. If he was playing today he will probably make our starting line-up.

[waqar_ahmad]

Originally Posted by Legend Killer More than politics , i think he was unlucky cause he had to compete with Akthar, Wasim,Waqar and Zahid for a spot in the team. If he was playing today he will probably make our starting line-up.

In one of his interviews, he mentioned how Waqar and Wasim never let him settle. Wasim was the captain, and he would tell akram to bowl short, and set fields acordingly. As a result. akram would get spanked all over the ground.

[Legend Killer]

Originally Posted by waqar_ahmad In one of his interviews, he mentioned how Waqar and Wasim never let him settle. Wasim was the captain, and he would tell akram to bowl short, and set fields acordingly. As a result. akram would get spanked all over the ground.

Oh didn't know about that but iMO even if there wasn't any politics he still wouldn't have been able to hold a place in the team cause we had Wasim,Waqar, Akthar,Zahid and even Sami was good in the early 2000s

[sali]

Mohd Akram was a lot like Sami. Had a problem with his radar. However, he is one of few bowlers from Wasim, Waqar & Aqib's era. This was the time that Pakistani bowlers were extreemly good with reverse swing and yokers. Let's hope he did learn from Wasim and he can bring back the same art in Pakistani team.

Pakistan really needed Wasim, Waqar or Aqib working with Junaid Khan and couple of youngsters to groom them into a world calss bolwers.

[duostyle]

That's not the Akram we wanted

IIRC he has some proper coaching credentials? Well grats to him and hope he'll be positive addition to the team.

On a side note, I read Akthar made an offer too, imo controversial as a player but probably the best candidate around to inspire the youngsters (limited to cricketing ability ). Also can't deny he's really passionate about his cricket.

[Bullet Drive]

Would have loved Pont but I hope Akram does well and fits in with the group nicely.

[LegCutter]

Hmm well now that he's been appointed, I am going to wish him the best of luck.

[Canistani Hero]

Good to see Pakistan utilizing some of their own resources. Hope Akram co-ordinates well with Fountain and Whatmore

[Ahson Afzal]

Finallyy!!!!!

[Farakhan]

Its good that has been coaching in the UK. Does he have any professional coaching qualifications

[Savak]

Surprising selection not really expected but now that he has got the job all the best to him.

[godzilla]

We don't know much about how technically proficient he is as a bowling coach do we? What are his qualifications and experience.

Good luck to him, but he's got a lot to prove; until we hear why he was chosen, it seems like a very mediocre choice.

[Lachrymose]

Surprising selection!

But IMO it's a good thing that a Pakistani bowling coach is chosen because the players are better acquainted with him and will adjust well with him.

Anyways, good luck to Mohammad Akram! Hope he proves to be a worthwhile choice and is able to really improve our indecent pace bowling ATM.

[Justcrazy]

Well whatever at least now there is a bowling coach in there. I hope he does well , do not expect instant results, I hope that Pakistan bowlers improve with new ball because that would be crucial considering two new balls been used.

[Bewal Express]

When i saw him in 96 i was very impressed. I watched him live at Edgebaston against Warwickshire and he was quick(probably the quickest out of the quartet on show). But what i noticed as his career went on was his poor run up. He seemed to lack rythm in his run up which meant that his bowling also lacked the rythm required to be at top pace.

[Saeth]

Well done!very good decision

[sunnykhan]

I am pretty happy with his appointment

[Paradox]

Does he have that Level 3 coaching thing that every coach needs?

[infinity]

good choice ............ Akram is a very hardworking bowler ..... i still remember him bowling in nets under extreme heat of june and july ...... a true passion for fast cricket ..... hope he will be able to guide our fast bowlers towards hard work and passion ........... he was quick and extremely quick bowler in his days ......... he was a rhythm bowler and it is always very difficult for such bowlers to gain form back quickly ......... he got good bowling mind ..............

Just one request to M Akram ........... please encourage bowlers to bowl fast and furious ....... aqib restricted them to line and length which reduced the speed of gul and others .........

[spitfire64]

It's great to PCB have finally appointed! We don't know Akram's coaching ability as he hasn't ever worked taught any teams or Internationals so we cannot judge. He doesn't currently teach bowlers either. Insha'Allah he will be a good choice.

[UmarMalik]

Mohammad Akram is the same bowler who used to give the batsmen juicy wide deliveries, pathetic move by PCB.. The guy doesn't know a thing about reverse swing either

Anyways, good luck to him

[JibranAnsari]

, iss se acha shoaib akhtar hee thaa..

[adnanulhaq97]

Originally Posted by JibranAnsari , iss se acha shoaib akhtar hee thaa..

R u sure about this, akthar is crazy

[90MPH]

I have some doubts about this appointment, but hope he proves me wrong.

[King Khan]

Great choice IMO, every time I've seen him in commentary he's been quite knowledgeable about the game and with his international and county level experiance, he will support the new and the senior bowlers.

[Square Drive]

Good stuff. Best of luck to Akram, let's hope he improves our bowling.

[hassan.incredible]

Dont Know.. whether he is a good selection or not, but hope that he would performs well in his role..

[Badsha]

I wanted to see Wasim Akram


But that's just the Fanboy in me. He migh be a good coach. Who knows.

[Osman]

hmmm am not hopeful tbh...having said that....it has been quite common for players that haven't been so successful as international players to be successful coaches so....lets hope he's one of them

[cricf@n]

Google as pakistan bowling coach n surprise to read that he hasn't appointed yet n more over its a surprising news for pcb media manager as well..!

[chacha kashmiri]

The best players don't make the best coaches, you only have to look at soccer

[Pete Rose]

Mohammad Akram was part of one our standard 0-3 losing margin test tours to Australia in the 90's. His action was a little similar to michael holding's. Pakistan selected him for the last test at Perth where he picked up 5 wickets. Outbowled Akhtar in that match. Used to generate menacing bounce off a good length. Footage of that performance is on YouTube.

[HA123]

]

[dadvoc]

I don't think he will sustain for long as a bowling coach.
But lets hope that it is a good news for team Pakistan.

[12cavalry]

Don't really know what to make of it. How much coaching experience does Akram have?

Anyway, I am in a way glad that Ian Pont wasn't selected. I was rooting for Pont at one point until I came to know he was part of the whole Atul Sharma fiasco.

[MMHS]

EID Mubarrak.

He was a goodish fast bowler, probably could touch even 150km occasionally at his peak (when there was no speed gun) with a fantastic Holding like action; but very little in upper chamber.

As a bowling coach, my hunch is, PCB, as usual has picked the worst possible candidate. Don't understand what his FC record has to do with his credential as a bowling coach. Would love to know how he became a better candidate than Pont. 'll be surprised if he can survive a full year.

Hope he proves me wrong.

[avidlearner]

Congrats to Md Akram

[w8in_4_0402]

Zaka jus said they hanvt appointed anyone than what us this??

[MenInG]

We reported based on what we were told - looks like there is still some confusion.

Lets see how this pans out.

[Executioner]

Ian pont or Wasim Akram looked better options to me

[Zaz]

Good on him but i wouldve opted for somone with more coaching experience and credentials

[LegCutter]

Originally Posted by Zaz Good on him but i wouldve opted for somone with more coaching experience and credentials

He hasnt been selected it seems. There's been an error somewhere

[cricket_crazy]

Originally Posted by Executioner Ian pont or Wasim Akram looked better options to me

Wasim Akram was never in contention.

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Akram has been named Pakistan's bowling coach for a period of one year. He will join the squad in the UAE for the series against Australia, Intikhab Alam, PCB director international announced today. More to follow

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan...ry/579223.html

[Saj]

So it took the rest of the world 6 days to confirm this after PP ;)

[truthseer]

Originally Posted by Saj So it took the rest of the world 6 days to confirm this afte PP ;)

Nice sources....

[Shayan]

Well done PP, great scoop and congrats to M.Akram.

[feelings2002]

aaqib javed
mohsin kamal
sarfaraz nawaz

are far better choice then mohammad akram

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Originally Posted by feelings2002 aaqib javed mohsin kamal sarfaraz nawaz are far better choice then mohammad akram

Javed left the pcb in the first place to coach UAE, what makes you think he will come back

Don't know about kamal so can't comment

Sarfraz is too much of a loose cannon


IMO its a good choice, apperently akram has an ecb coaching certificate, don't know if that's true, maybe some one can confirm the validity

[Majid Khan]

So Mo Akram who from what I remember of him as a pace bowler specialised in no balls, wides, indisciplined bowling, no line and length, and injuries.... Is now going to coach upcoming Pakistani pace bowlers how to overcome these same problems?

Well what you can you expect, after all this is a country where illiterates and fake degree holders end up running the education ministry.

[Luton Bad Boy]

Mohammad Akram - Jury is out on his international career and he must be given a chance to prove himself at coaching level

However, it is a name that does not fill me with confidence but, bowling is an art-form and I hope he can our team overcome the bowling indiscipline we have had for the past two years

[pakistanigoneaussie]

why do players think that you have to be a good player to be a good coach, its generally the opposite

[786warrior]

Originally Posted by Zaz Good on him but i wouldve opted for somone with more coaching experience and credentials

That's because the neurons in your brain are actually firing as opposed to the Pak management bro!

[786warrior]

Originally Posted by Majid Khan So Mo Akram who from what I remember of him as a pace bowler specialised in no balls, wides, indisciplined bowling, no line and length, and injuries.... Is now going to coach upcoming Pakistani pace bowlers how to overcome these same problems? Well what you can you expect, after all this is a country where illiterates and fake degree holders end up running the education ministry.

Bang on the money!!!

[Savak]

The guy apparently didn't even meet the laid out criteria and they rejected Akhtar for that reason. Talk about double standards

Sent from my BlackBerry 9360 using Tapatalk

[Saj]

Originally Posted by Savak The guy apparently didn't even meet the laid out criteria and they rejected Akhtar for that reason. Talk about double standards Sent from my BlackBerry 9360 using Tapatalk

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Akhtar told by Zaka Ashraf to apply through the correct means for his application to be accepted?

[Singham]

Wasn't he trying to be a commentator few months back?

[Runner Up]

Some time Mediocre players do good job as Coach and good players don't

Don't know much about Mohammad Akram but now as he has been selected lets wait and watch.

[LastLaugh_PK]

Lol people are basing their analysis on his own cricketing performance..

Good sportsmen don't always make the best coaches, a couple of notable examples are Javed Maindad and Diego Maradona.. Look at Australia they always hire unknown players and professionals as their coaches.

[Rana]

Shoaib Akhtar might have got injured while coaching. I don't see how a crock can become a bowling coach

[Savak]

Originally Posted by Saj Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Akhtar told by Zaka Ashraf to apply through the correct means for his application to be accepted?

I am not propogating for Akhtar to be appointed bowling coach, i am not in favor of it as he should focus on getting some coaching experience at the grass root level. But i am bewildered by the PCB going against its own laid down criteria i.e. must posses a 5 year coaching certificate etc when it chose to appoint Akram. Good luck to him, i hope he does a good job but these people like Inti really need to go its not surprising to see them settling scores with people. I would like to see fresh faces in the PCB for a change instead of the same tried and tested failures like Wasim Bari, Intikhab Alam, Yawar Saeed etc