Mohammad Hafeez takes aim at PCB

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has taken a jab at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following their recent board meeting, which gathered many former cricketers to discuss solutions for improving the national team after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign.

The high-level meeting took place on July 9th at a hotel on Mall Road, Lahore. Chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the meeting aimed to harness the insights and suggestions of experienced players to enhance Pakistan's cricket infrastructure.

More than fifteen former Test and international cricketers participated in the discussion, offering a range of recommendations to strengthen the country's cricket framework.

Notable attendees included Salman Butt, Ijaz Ahmed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Basit Ali, Intikhab Alam, Asim Kamal, Mohammad Sami, Shafiq Papa, Yasir Hameed, Saleem Altaf, Haroon Rasheed, Yasir Shah, Sikandar Bakht, Wajahatullah Wasti, and Azhar Khan.

One major issue raised was the team combination and selection during the recent ICC T20 World Cup. Several cricketers voiced their dissatisfaction with the team's composition, highlighting an imbalance due to an overabundance of openers and a lack of dependable middle-order batters.

Former PCB official Aalia Rasheed expressed her support for Mohammad Hafeez on the social media platform 'X,' criticising the board for not inviting him.

"Mohammad Hafeez raised his concerns over the lack of fitness & discipline. Being a Team Director, he desperately wanted Team Pakistan to follow the international standards of professionalism. Alas! The new chairman never invited him to discuss the issues & his ideas," Aalia posted.

In response, Hafeez replied, "We live in a society where Abdullah ki baat Samajh nahee aate aur Micheal & Tom sab such kahta hai (We live in a society where no one understands Abdullah but Michael and Tom always tell the truth)."

Remove Azhar Mahmood

Former Test cricketer and chief selector Salahuddin Sallu has praised PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for his efforts to revitalize Pakistan cricket.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Monday, Sallu highlighted the importance of Naqvi's initiatives in reversing the downward trend of the national team over the past few years.

“I admire the efforts being made by PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi to bring our cricket at par with the international standards. Those who have seen the Pakistan cricket team ruling world cricket in the past or have remained attached with Pakistan Cricket in any capacity are keen to see the revival of that era,” Sallu said.

The former cricketer emphasised the necessity of Naqvi's measures following Pakistan's disappointing performance in the recently concluded T20 World Cup held in the US and West Indies.

He also lauded several key steps taken by Naqvi, including revamping the selection committee, reducing player power, improving infrastructure, and making domestic cricket participation mandatory for all players.

“After the recent debacle of the Pakistan team in the T20World Cup in the US and West Indies, such tough measures had become imperative and I am glad that the PCB chairman has taken them promptly,” he said.

“Revamping of the selection committee, dismantling the player-power, uplift of the infrastructure and making the domestic cricket appearances mandatory for all players are all excellent steps taken by Mr Naqvi recently. They will, Inshallah, bear fruit very soon,” he added.

However, Sallu advised the current PCB chief to get rid of the national team's assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, with a more competent individual.

“Azhar, in my opinion, does not deserve to be the team’s coach as he is not competent for the job and have failed to deliver whenever given the opportunity to serve Pakistan Cricket,” he said.

“I remember how PSL franchise Islamabad United sacked Azhar during the PSL 8 season which is a clear indication of his inability to motivate the players or help them overcome their shortcomings,” he concluded.