Mohammad Yousuf resigns from selection committee

Former captain quits after disagreement with one of team's coaches

The reasons behind the resignation of former national cricket team selector Mohammad Yousuf have been revealed, highlighting tensions over player selection and contract management.

According to the media reports, sources close to the matter indicate that disagreements arose between Yousuf and one of the team's coaches regarding the inclusion of certain players in the squad. Yousuf advocated for giving opportunities to new talented players like Kamran Ghulam, Zahid Mahmood, and Mohammad Ali, citing the need for fresh blood to address the team's recent struggles.

However, the coach reportedly favored continuity and expressed concerns about disrupting the team's momentum.

The selection of Abdullah Shafique also became a point of contention. the former legend proposed giving the young batsman a break to work on his technique, but the coach disagreed, leading to further clashes.

The differing views on player selection eventually escalated into a broader disagreement over the management of central contracts. Yousuf reportedly pushed for tougher decisions regarding contract categories, while the coach preferred a more lenient approach.

Ultimately, these disagreements led to Yousuf's decision to resign from his position as selector. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also accepted his departure from the selection committee. Notably, the upcoming series, set to begin on October 7th in Multan, is part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

Coach Gillespie opens up on Pak gameplan against Eng

Jason Gillespie, the head coach of Pakistan's red-ball cricket team, acknowledged the evolution of England's approach to Test cricket, often referred to as "Bazball." However, he expressed his preference to steer clear of that term, emphasizing his own strategy for tackling the formidable English side.

"It's very clear how England approaches their cricket. I don't particularly like the term "Bazball," but they do play aggressive cricket. We've seen them evolve their game and that's how they want to play," Gillespie stated on a podcast.

He continued, outlining Pakistan's game plan: "We will play our way, striving to be a consistent and disciplined team that hangs in there and strikes at the right moment to drive the game forward and exploit gaps. That's our strategy."

Gillespie also addressed the external criticism surrounding the Pakistan cricket team, noting that many pundits have written them off ahead of the series. "A lot of people are writing us off, and that's okay - that's fine. It will only motivate our boys a little bit more. We'll go out and do our jobs as best we can, and hopefully, the results will take care of themselves."

The last time England's Test side visited Pakistan was in December 2022, where Pakistan suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat in the three-match series.