Watch: 'People don't respect you' — Mushtaq Ahmed slams PCB over coaching drama, says 'Coaches fear working for country'

Former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has expressed his interest in coaching the national team but admitted that he is worried about working with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). His comments came after the board made several major changes to the team during the ongoing England tour.

Mushtaq said he would like to take up a coaching role with Pakistan but is scared of the lack of respect and job security that may come with the position. He has previously worked with the PCB in different roles and has also served as a spin-bowling coach for Bangladesh.

Speaking on a podcast, Mushtaq highlighted the concerns surrounding the PCB and said that coaches are now afraid to work for the country. His comments came after the PCB sacked Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul following Pakistan's two consecutive Test defeats against England.

The PCB's decision to send seven players home midway through the England tour and replace the coaching staff has also attracted criticism. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke were brought in, while seven replacements were announced, including five uncapped players. 

Watch Mushtaq Ahmed's comments in the video here.

Mushtaq Ahmed speaks out on BBC stumped podcast amid Pakistan's mid-tour sackings

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed spoke about the current situation in Pakistan cricket during an appearance on the BBC Stumped Podcast. He previously worked with the national team as a bowling consultant from 2014 to 2016 and later returned as the official spin-bowling coach in 2020, a role he held until 2022.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently came under criticism after it decided to send seven players home from the England tour following the second Test defeat at Lord’s. The decision came with the final Test still left to play, while seven replacements were sent to England, including five uncapped players.

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When Mushtaq was asked if he would be open to coaching Pakistan, he said he would love to help the national team but criticised the PCB's approach to coaches. He claimed that the board's lack of respect and job security has made many coaches scared to work for their own country.

'They sack you over emotional decisions' — Inside Mushtaq's comments on Sarfaraz Ahmed & Umar Gul's exit

Mushtaq Ahmed has criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for sacking coaches during an ongoing series. Speaking on the BBC Stumped Podcast, the former Pakistan spinner said he would love to coach the national team but is worried about the board's approach. “Sometimes you get scared of working for your own country when the people don’t respect you, and they sack you because of a few emotional decisions here and there,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed also spoke about the exits of Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul during the England series. He said he was hurt to see the former Pakistan players being sacked in the middle of a series. “When you see those things, people getting sacked on a tour, you get worried and scared,” he added. Ahmed believes the PCB should support its coaches and avoid making emotional decisions during a tour.

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The former leg-spinner also said that many Pakistani cricketers working as coaches would be willing to serve their country if the PCB fixed its system. “I think every Pakistani cricketer, not only myself, whoever is doing coaching internationally now, they love to serve the country,” Ahmed said. He added that better support from the board could encourage former international players to take up coaching roles with Pakistan.

What this means for PCB's search for a permanent head coach

The PCB's recent coaching changes could make its search for a permanent head coach more difficult. The board's decision to make changes during the England series has raised questions about stability and the level of support coaches can expect.

Mushtaq Ahmed's comments also highlight concerns among former Pakistan players who may be interested in coaching the national team. Notably, Pakistan has appointed Mike Hesson as the red-ball coach. Recently, a viral report claimed that Pakistan media was looking for coaching staff through LinkedIn, adding to the discussion around the team's coaching setup.

The PCB will now need to provide a clear plan for its coaching structure. Backing the coaches and giving them enough time to build a strong team could be important if Pakistan wants greater stability in its coaching setup.