Akram specifically questioned the impact of the Pakistan Super League (
Structural Reform Over Personnel Changes
Addressing the frequent turnover of coaching staff and players, Akram insisted that changing leadership—whether appointing himself or Gary Kirsten—would not solve the fundamental issues. He argued that the current pool of players remains the same regardless of who is in charge, and that the Pakistan Cricket Board (
A central pillar of his proposed solution is the revival of club cricket in major hubs like Karachi and Lahore. Akram suggested that the PCB should invest 100 million rupees into these regions to foster talent at the grassroots level, which he believes is the only way to improve the nation's red-ball performance. He also criticised the current trend of constant player rotation, which he feels prevents the team from establishing necessary consistency.
Technical Concerns and Bowling Standards
The former captain also turned his attention to the team's technical approach during their ongoing Test series in England. He expressed concern over the batters' lack of footwork, noting that players were often rooted to the crease against bowlers like Ollie Robinson. According to Akram, the inability to move the front foot forward is a symptom of a deeper lack of technical talent.
Regarding the nation's fast-bowling resources, Akram urged a shift in how young pacers are evaluated. He dismissed the obsession with raw pace, stating that bowling a single delivery at 150 km/h is less significant than the ability to maintain a consistent speed of 140 km/h throughout a full day of play. He also addressed the form of Shaheen Afridi, noting his confusion over the left-armer's drop in pace and suggesting that an experienced bowler of his calibre should have been included in the squad for the England tour. Instead, Akram advocated for the inclusion of Akif Javed, citing his recent positive performances in English conditions.
