Pakistan Cricket News: 'Cricket is not played on laptops,' says Mohammad Akram, Pakistan's new bowling coach | ESPN Cricinfo

Mohammad Akram, Pakistan's new bowling coach, has said his low-profile CV won't be a drawback as he had learnt a lot from his playing career and believed that "cricket is actually played on ground [and] not on laptops".

Having earlier been rejected after applying for the job, he managed to convince the coach-hunt committee to recruit him for a one-year deal. He played nine Tests and 23 ODIs for Pakistan between 1995 and 2001. Since his last first-class appearance in 2007, he has been involved in cricket through the Lashing cricket club and commentary. As a former Test cricketer based in England, he has been engaged with various colleges and universities as a consultant.

"I have played ample cricket, and learnt a lot from the ground and sitting out on the bench," Akram told ESPNcricinfo. "Cricket ultimately can't be played on laptops; it can only be played in ground, so talking a lot can't help if they want my services and I will do my best to make a difference.

"In my playing days I've worked with the likes of Graham Gooch, Steve Rixon, Javed Miandad and learnt a lot from their coaching techniques and strategies. I [have a lot missing] from my CV but I have something that others don't have - I am a Pakistani, have played cricket around the country from Rawalpindi to Bahawalpur and all over, understand the cricket, know the problems and what has to be done. I need a little time to adjust and 12 months is a lot of time."

Pakistan have been without a bowling coach since former fast bowler Aaqib Javed resigned to take over as UAE's head coach in March, and the PCB was expected to bring in a replacement of Aaqib's stature. A short-term deal was eventually struck with Akram, who takes charge from the Australia series in the UAE. "I didn't ask for a lengthy contract but let's see how this goes with both of us. I will obviously try to use my experience to train the boys and if things don't go well I will walk away.

"I have been following Pakistan cricket keenly for long, and understand we have always had talent. I have plenty to offer to them. Aaqib had done a great job to keep the chain moving and now my emphasis will be to strengthen the bench and ensure we have bowlers who are always ready to have a go.

"I don't think there is any need for a massive stir though things aren't all well with Umar Gul. He needs to return to his best quickly and I think I can make it happen as he needs confidence. I am not going to make it complex, it is always better to have it simple."

Akram is aware of the challenges the job brings but he remains optimistic. With three days left for the Australia series, Akram is ready to join the professional coaching staff headed by Dav Whatmore though he is yet to finish the formalities with the PCB which are expected to be completed in due course.

"The series will be a diagnostic series for me to observe and understand things. I am privileged to have Whatmore, who is a complete institution himself, in charge," said Akram, who debuted against Whatmore-coached Sri Lanka in 1995.

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Statments...........statements...........and statements........

Match hoga, phir wohi 350 ka target milay ga, 20-30 extras hoon gay!
Kisi ki na swing hogi na seam....speed kay chakkar mein wide and no balls!

Jab tak result nahin ata, I will still stick on my words. HE WAS , IS AND WILL remaing useless.

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Is this the same dude to puts on a fake British accent and speaks with poor grammar as a commentator? Don't even remember him as a bowler....Shoaib Akhtar with all his flaws would have been better since Wasim, Waqar and Aquib didn't want the job.

based on what? the coaching courses he has taken? the coaching experience he has? his ability to inspire youngsters during his playing days? give me a break. great players do not make great coaches, there is a reason argentina sucked in the 2010 world cup with maradona as its coach.

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its surprising that PCB put the condition of 5 yr coaching as pre-requisite and then chose Akram. I think it came down to money, it was just costing too much to hire a foreign coach and PCB decided to give Akram a go. He was not a bad bowler if it wouldn't have been for politics of W & W he might have had longer career, well lets hope for the best frankly speaking Pak has no candidate, as waqar and wasim are not gonna coach, while aqib has taken over UAE that really doesn't leaves not too many candidates.

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his stats, international and domestic, seem to tell another story

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Shit happens, and then you die!!!

stats not everything he was not a bad bowler, but like i said I don't think PCB had any choice the money seems to be issue zaka admitted they couldn't afford others so lets hope for the best.

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his international stats maybe, his domestic stats are very good....he was a very un Pakistani fast bowler...around 90mph, high arm action, great run up reminiscent of michael holding, he was the kind of guy who needs a good slip and gully cordon and our fielding has always been mashallah inshallah.....on top of that he was played very infrequently and except for perth 2001, he had to play on some really really rora wickets in faisalabad etc....it was the 2Ws closing up shop....that was his misfortune that he burst onto the scene in 95...

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I always play cricket on my laptop??

Yeah you need a PC for that, Playing Cricket on laptop...pff ametures!

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for some of you who have not seen him bowl.



Not bad I would say:
- smooth run-up and action,
- good release,
- good finish
- good bounce
- good pace
- good line and lenght

and a lovely catch in the slips. Job done. Easy peasy.

A good choice but my favourite choice still would have been Ian Pont.

Mohammed Akram and Mohammed Zahid were the two unfortunate talented Pace bowlers who came to the scene while Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib were playing for Pakistan.

Politics had nothing to do with him not playing in final-11. He was in the squad from 1997-2001 , i think. Pakistan had already got 3 best fast bolwers of the world in fine form.

Him having to play would have meant dropping wasim , waqar or shoaib. Something not possible.

If you want to talk about unlucky then talk about Mohammed Zahid: who was considered even more faster than Shoaib akhtar: according to aussies, pakistani team-mates and shoaib himself even admits it !!

Both Zahid and Shoaib started at almost the same time, but one got left out and the other got in. Later Zahid developed back injuries.

The competition was very tough at that time.

The only mistake I personally think Mohammed Akram did was that he retired from cricket I think before 2003. And this is something even Akram himself regrets and admits that, had he stayed on after 2003 he would have got the chance ! since both the W's retired anyways after the WC2003.

He is just making his presence felt that I am here & I will do an outstanding job.