‘I had given this idea to…..’ – Wasim Akram reveals his advice to Ex-Pakistan national team captain

Former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram recently opened up about the new Pakistan cricket team management staff after the ODI World Cup 2023 debacle. Notably, the Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed a new selector, new coaches, and new captains in red and white balls after Babar Azam and Co. failed to enter the playoffs of the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2023. The Men in Green were only able to win four matches out of nine in the league stage game.

The legendary cricketer Wasim Akram feels that the newly appointed coach, Wahab Riaz, and skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood will bring in new energy and excitement to the team along with new ideas.

“Babar resigned, Shaheen became the captain of the T20I side. Shan Masood has been made the test captain. Mohammed Hafeez has been made the director of cricket and he is also the coach for the Australia Tour. Wahab Riaz is the chief selector. It’s good in a way, as they had just retired. They will bring in a different energy, new ideas,” Wasim Akram said on Sportskeeda.

I had a given this idea to Babar Azam a couple of years ago: Wasim Akram

The former left-arm pacer also spoke about Babar Azam resigning as the skipper. The 57-year-old cricketer feels that the former Pakistan skipper, Babar Azam, took the right step by leaving the leadership to just focus merely on batting. Moreover, the well-renowned cricket commentator said that captaincy brings the extra stress to the player’s mind.

“I agree. I had  given this idea to Babar Azam a couple of years ago that doesn’t do captaincy in league cricket. Big player, take your money, play your game, get runs, go home, and then to the next event. Pakistan’s captaincy is alright, but the league brings extra stress without any reason,” he added further.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan team is currently facing Australia in the three matches of the Test series, which began on December 14 in Perth.

Pakistan Squad for Test series vs Australia: Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi.