Pak cricket team could lose to Scotland, jibes PHC judge

Justice Shakeel Ahmed of the Peshawar High Court stated that if players are not selected on merit, the national team could lose even to Scotland.

He emphasised that the selection of players should be based on performance. The Peshawar High Court issued a notice to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), seeking a response in a petition filed by cricketer Najeeb Ullah, who challenged his exclusion from the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy selection process.

These remarks were made during the hearing of the petition, where Najeebullah, the petitioner, was not included in the selection process for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. The PCB has been asked to submit a response within 14 days.

The two-member bench consisted of Justice Shakeel Ahmed and Justice Sahibzada Asadullah. Najeeb Ullah's lawyer, Fazal Wahid, informed the court that his client's performance helped Peshawar Region become champions, yet he was overlooked in the selection process for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

The lawyer argued that favouritism in player selection has led to poor performance, citing the Pakistan cricket team's recent struggles against England.

In response, Justice Shakeel Ahmed remarked that if players are not selected based on performance, Pakistan will lose to teams like Scotland.

The lawyer further told the court that Najeebullah had previously represented Pakistan at the Under-19 level, but was excluded from the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy by the PCB. He informed the court that in the 2023/24 season, Najeebullah scored three centuries in Under-19 matches and ranked first in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa based on performance.

"Despite this, he was not even called for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy selection." After hearing the arguments, the court issued a notice to the PCB and adjourned the hearing.

Law and order petition

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council has filed a writ petition in the Peshawar High Court against the deteriorating law and order situation and rising terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The case has been scheduled for hearing on Thursday (today).

The petition names the provincial government, the chief secretary, the Federal Ministry of Interior, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa inspector general of police, and others as respondents.

In the petition, the Bar Council argued that the law-and-order situation in the province is worsening, particularly in the southern districts where terrorist incidents are occurring.