PCB seeks answers from Waqar after England drubbing

Source says the board has called a meeting Pakistan were blanked 3-0 by England

After a 3-1 drubbing in ODIs and a whitewash in T20s against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board has called upon head coach Waqar Younis to present an answer for the defeat in colours.

An official source in the Pakistan Cricket Board told Press Trust of India that a meeting would be held on Friday in Lahore, in which the performances of the team would be reviewed.



Pakistan were blanked 3-0 by England who won the third and final game in Sharjah in a thrilling Super Over finish on Monday — leaving Waqar to ponder his side’s progress just four months before the World Twenty20 in India.

"The significant aspect of the meeting which will be chaired by the board chief Shaharyar Khan and will also be attended by Najam Sethi and Chief Operating officer Subhan Ahmad is that Waqar, assistant coach Mushtaq Ahmed and chief selector Haroon Rasheed have also been called for the meeting," said the source, NDTV reported.

According to the source, the meeting was arranged on Haroon’s request as he had reservations against the team management. Haroon reportedly is not happy with the way available players are being 'experimented' with in the series.

"Haroon wants some things sorted out with the team management in the presence of the board chairman as the selectors are not satisfied that the best combinations were tried out in the limited over matches," the source said.



Further, the four-member selection committee is flying out to Dubai on Sunday to watch the limited over series between Pakistan A and England Lions.

When asked about the trip, Haroon said the purpose was to watch closely the performance of top players picked from domestic cricket. "We don't have much time now and we need to have a look at all available talent before we finalise our squad for the World T20 in India," he added.



Waqar, who normally flies out to his home in Sydney after a series to spend time with his family, is also this time returning to Lahore with the support staff, including the foreign batting coach Grant Flower, physio and trainer.

"The meeting will address all issues which appear to have dampened the performances of the team and also rumours that all was not well in the dressing room and some players suffer from insecurity over their place in the team," the source said.

Meanwhile, former PCB Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Tauqir Zia took a hard stance and called for the sacking of the national selection committee and team management.

"What do you expect when the board chairman is constantly focused on the series with India and other senior officials are concerned about Pakistan Super League. What can one say but if I was chairman I would for starters sack the selectors and team management and bring in people who know how to build a team and play combinations," said Tauqir.

The article originally appeared on NDTV.