Aaqib Javed given full authority by PCB
Pakistan cricket is beginning to see the results of its internal 'surgery' as Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has given head of selectors Aaqib Javed a free hand to take significant steps in ending groupings within the team.
As part of these efforts, the previously stringent fitness standards have also been temporarily relaxed.
On Friday, Pakistan team secured its first home Test victory after more than three years, thanks to several bold decisions taken by Aaqib which included omitting Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi from the squad.
Although no official appointment has been made for the head of the selection committee, Aaqib Javed is informally handling these duties. In a recent meeting with Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Aaqib requested full authority to steer the team back to winning ways and eliminate internal groupings, which was granted.
The positive effects of this decision have started to show. On Aaqib's recommendation, the selection committee was reduced from 11 members to 6. The idea behind this change is to curb the influence of player power.
Previously, captains and coaches avoided voting against senior players, but with fewer members, this dynamic is expected to shift. Furthermore, the practice of having selectors without voting rights has been questioned and deemed unnecessary.
Sources indicate that one reason behind benching both Babar and Shaheen was to dismantle groupings and foster unity within the team.
Although both players' recent performances were not up to the mark, the previous selectors were keen to give them an entire series. However, the message has now been made clear that any player involved in team politics will be sent home on the next available flight.
Up until the first Test, a strict fitness policy was in place. Nauman Ali and Zahid Mahmood were tasked with completing a two-kilometer run in eight minutes during the match at Multan Cricket Stadium, but both failed and were sent home. They were given another chance after the defeat, but once again, neither could meet the requirement.
At this point, Aaqib and other selectors convinced the team management that, considering the team's current needs, that there should be some temporary leniency in the fitness policy. This is why Nauman and Zahid were able to make it the playing XI. However, Sajid Khan maintained fitness levels as good as the rest of the squad.
England holds upper hand in Rawalpindi
The third and final Test match between Pakistan and England is set to take place from October 24 in Rawalpindi. Both teams left for Rawalpindi on Saturday evening.
After arriving in Rawalpindi, both teams will settle in and take a rest on Sunday, with training sessions scheduled to begin on Monday.
Similar to Multan, a spin-friendly pitch is being prepared for the matches in Rawalpindi.
The visiting England team currently has the upper hand against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Stadium. The last Test match played between the two sides in Dec 2022 was won by Ben Stokes' team by 74 runs.
In that match, Pakistani pacers Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali, and Haris Rauf took the field, while spinners Zahid Mahmood, Salman Agha, and Saud Shakeel also played crucial roles.
This time, the pitch is being prepared differently in hopes of keeping the English team in check.