ISLAMABAD:
While cricket teams around the world are playing matches to finalise their playing eleven for the upcoming T20 World Cup, we remain bogged down with discussions of who should be in and who should be out as the probable players. The real controversy started with the appointment of the new Chairman of the PCB. The moment there was an indication that Rameez Raja would take over as the next chairman PCB, things started to shake in the team management.
Chief selector Mohammed Wasim very abruptly announced the team. Seeing the inevitable, Misbah and Waqar resigned as coaches. The newly appointed chairman held a press conference on September 13 and informed the nation about his plans to reform cricket in the country. The appointment of the top slot in the PCB has always remained political and controversial. Lack of merit and transparency for this top position has led to high politicking in the PCB with our team’s performance dwindling due to short-term policies. Cricket lovers like myself want to see the game flourish with selections and appointments made on merit. Only pure merit and professionalism can promote the game and bring forward real talent.
Our PM used to talk a lot about merit and professionalism in cricket and we all had high hopes from him. Unfortunately, he has also adopted the same line as his predecessors by handpicking Ramiz Raja. One wonders why such a hasty decision was made at such a critical time.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2021.
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