Cricket affair
It remains to be seen how changes in PCB will affect Pakistan team’s performance in World Cup
Chaos and Pakistan cricket go hand in hand. Pakistan cricket has almost become immune to setbacks ahead of every World Cup.
Pakistan cricket has stayed true to its traditions this time around as well. Only a day before the announcement of the World Cup squad, Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) governing board members revolted against the PCB by challenging the appointment of Managing Director of the PCB Wasim Khan. This has created uncertainty in the board as options of having an adhoc management are being considered.
The board members have stated that the appointment of the new MD, Wasim Khan, was not approved by the board. Khan had promised massive changes in the domestic structure that are not widely accepted by the departmental teams.
Many believed that such a system would disrupt the entire fabric of domestic cricket in Pakistan. The board members and the PCB management therefore are now on a collision course which could spell doom for Pakistan’s World Cup aspirations.
Such uncertainty around the board ahead of the mega event is bound to affect the Pakistan cricket team as well. Mickey Arthur is looking for an extension of his contract with the PCB after the World Cup.
The uncertainty around the PCB is bound to make him insecure regarding his future ahead of the mega event. Experts have been asking for removal of Sarfaraz Ahmed as Test captain, hence this development can also affect the mental state of the captain ahead of the World Cup.
However, adversity also sometimes brings the best out of Pakistan team, as they won the World T20 title in 2009 after the attack on the Sri Lankan team, and the 2017 ICC Champions trophy despite barely qualifying for it. Hence, it remains to be seen how the changes in the PCB will affect Pakistan team’s performance in the World Cup.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2019.
Pakistan cricket has stayed true to its traditions this time around as well. Only a day before the announcement of the World Cup squad, Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) governing board members revolted against the PCB by challenging the appointment of Managing Director of the PCB Wasim Khan. This has created uncertainty in the board as options of having an adhoc management are being considered.
The board members have stated that the appointment of the new MD, Wasim Khan, was not approved by the board. Khan had promised massive changes in the domestic structure that are not widely accepted by the departmental teams.
Many believed that such a system would disrupt the entire fabric of domestic cricket in Pakistan. The board members and the PCB management therefore are now on a collision course which could spell doom for Pakistan’s World Cup aspirations.
Such uncertainty around the board ahead of the mega event is bound to affect the Pakistan cricket team as well. Mickey Arthur is looking for an extension of his contract with the PCB after the World Cup.
The uncertainty around the PCB is bound to make him insecure regarding his future ahead of the mega event. Experts have been asking for removal of Sarfaraz Ahmed as Test captain, hence this development can also affect the mental state of the captain ahead of the World Cup.
However, adversity also sometimes brings the best out of Pakistan team, as they won the World T20 title in 2009 after the attack on the Sri Lankan team, and the 2017 ICC Champions trophy despite barely qualifying for it. Hence, it remains to be seen how the changes in the PCB will affect Pakistan team’s performance in the World Cup.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2019.