Controversies are nothing new to Pakistan cricket but Aamer Sohail recently kicked up a storm by saying that the “biggest contribution by Wasim Akram to Pakistan cricket was making sure the country didn’t win a World Cup after 1992”.

Akram too hit back, claiming that “some people” still use his name to “promote” themselves.

The Telegraph caught up with another former Pakistan captain, the Kent-based Asif Iqbal, for his insight into the happenings and the way forward for Pakistan cricket.

Excerpts:

The Telegraph: Your thoughts on the controversy involving Sohail and Akram?

Asif Iqbal: I would like to mention only one thing... This is neither the time nor the place for such comments. You are trying to dig into something that has been dead and buried for long. Cricketers are like celebrities, they always want to be in the news. They relish it and hence find it difficult to accept retirement. It suddenly takes the spotlight out of him. I wouldn’t like to take names but most of them have suddenly found an outlet in television and YouTube channels to promote themselves. But this is an exercise in futility. In fact this is a crime because a commission had been set up more than a decade back to investigate various accusations and those responsible have been punished.

Why is it that Pakistan cricket continue to be dogged by controversies?

That’s a difficult question. The reason is there are too many individuals involved who think they are above the game. This despite cricket being a team game. Everyone wants to be a captain or loves to stay in focus. Others who fail to do so try to find a way out and attract attention.

Why hasn’t Pakistan achieved much success in recent years?

I don’t think that’s a fair evaluation. Pakistan won the Champions Trophy in 2017 and were ranked No.1 in T20Is a few months back. You can say they haven’t done well in the last year or so. The No.1 reason is because they haven’t been playing at home and hence have no home advantage. Playing at home always motivates you.

Has constant change in captaincy and coach led to instability in the side?

It’s a result driven world. If you’re not really successful, you’ve to go. That could be the reason behind the changes.

But captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and coach Mickey Arthur gave you the Champions Trophy. Yet they were removed after the World Cup.

If the captain is winning, his own performance gets hidden. Nobody sort of questions your individual performance. But when you start losing, questions crop up. You are unable to command a place in the team. Cricket is no longer a sport, it’s an industry. If there are no results to show, the captain can’t justify his place in the side. The captain is as good as his team.

Arthur too wasn’t retained…

The same logic applies here. Any coach can motivate his side as long as there are results. If the side is not winning, he has to face the axe.

Pakistan now have their most successful captain Misbah-ul Haq as head coach with Waqar Younis as the bowling coach. Will the combination achieve success?

You have to wait and see. If they don’t produce the results, they too have to go. It’s as simple as that.

Foreign coaches haven’t achieved much success with Pakistan. Is language a problem?

I don’t think so. The problem is with communication skills. The thinking and mindset of a foreign coach is vastly different when it comes to subcontinental teams. Desi coaches like Ravi Shastri have set a brilliant example in this regard. The players respect him and he’s a role model. He understands the players and the results are there to see. Ravi has been a huge impact not just because he’s doing well. Credit goes to the entire support staff who have kept the players together. It shows in the players’ body language. His biggest contribution has been to make sure the players are enjoying their work. Remember, cricket is more about entertainment today.

Do you think Pakistan lacks a player who can go to any extent to get under the skin of the opposition?

Barring Virat Kohli there aren’t any who can do that in today’s cricket. Virat is a born fighter. Aggressive qualities are an integral part of his game. You can’t change that. From a different era, Javed Miandad’s name comes to mind instantly. He was another such cricketer. Shahid Afridi was also in the same league. Our generation didn’t have any.

Does Pakistan need a Virat Kohli then?

It’s difficult to say that but... Every individual comes in some form or the other. Youngsters in Pakistan team are talented and willing to work hard. Look at Azhar Ali or Babar Azam for that matter. The important thing is they must have the talent to back their hard work. They are putting in the hard yards and God willing they will achieve success.

Does India’s rise and Pakistan’s decline hurt you?

I don’t think Pakistan are on the decline. As a supporter I would like to see Pakistan winning versus India. True that hasn’t happened during the last few meetings. The opposition is certainly better and we are not good at that level. We’ve just got to accept that.