Akram is being looked upon as a joke by the Pakistan pace attack

Sources close to the Pakistan national team have revealed that numerous bowlers in the side have little or no respect at all for bowling coach Mohammad Akram after the team’s horrendous tour of South Africa.

The sources also stated that the bowlers don’t take Akram’s advice seriously since he only “played a few Tests for Pakistan”.

“The reason is Akram played few tests for Pakistan and with 17 wickets doesn’t have an impressive international cricket background,” the source said. “Plus, when his appointment was made it was seen as a questionable one as there were other better candidates available. Also, there is talk that he got the job because of political pressure.”

Akram’s criticism is no surprise as it has become a common occurrence for any person in an authoritative position within the Pakistan team management to be subjected to answering tough questions after a poor series.

Pakistan’s pace attack of Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Rahat Ali and Ehsan Adil only picked up 19 wickets between them in the three-Test series at a rather dismal average of 45.89.

In comparison, South Africa’s pace attack took 53 wickets at an outstanding average of 17.58.

Pakistan’s most experienced pace bowler, Umar Gul, only snapped up five wickets at an average of 46.80 and his performance throughout the Test series have raised some serious questions about his future in the side.

The sources also claim that Akram failed to accurately read the South African conditions and come up with a plan where the Pakistani bowlers would have been able to restrict South Africa’s batsmen from scoring many runs.

“He himself was lost and whatever he said to the players was never taken seriously,” the source added. “Akram was also unable to give proper advice or even convince the head coach and captain about which pacers should play in the Tests.”

In the end, Pakistan had to rely on bowlers who were on debut or had very little Test cricket experience.

“Keep in mind that these bowlers had become used to having someone like Waqar Younis around to help them till 2011,” the source said.