All is not well in Pakistan cricket camp and differences have resurfaced after a disastrous tour of New Zealand, as was evident during the HBL PSL X captains' press conference in Rawalpindi on Thursday evening.
Pakistan lost 4-1 in the Twenty20 series against New Zealand last month while the hosts thumped Mohammad Rizwan's men in the three-match ODI series 3-0.
Media representatives posed some challenging questions to the captains, including inquiries about recent performance, team strategies, and the importance of the league in developing talent.
Some questions touched upon concerns about the state of Pakistani cricket and the pressure on individual players. While some captains, like Rizwan, focused on controlling what they could, other captains like Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan expressed optimism about the rising competitiveness of the league and the importance of young talent development.
Journalists questioned the captains about their recent performances, particularly in the wake of international disappointments. When asked by Telecomasia.net whether there are groupings or problems in the team, Rizwan, the skipper of Multan Sultans, replied: "Media knows all the things very well as to what is happening? I am openly saying that whoever has the authority is accountable."
Rizwan further said he was answerable only to Pakistan Cricket Board chairman. "Who are we answerable to, the PCB chairman of course. The whole Pakistan knows that. So the selection committee also have to answer to chairman as well," he said.
Rizwan admitted the anger of the fans was justified. "If results are not as per their wishes then they have every right of getting angry. This is their right."
The press conference also focused on the role of PSL in developing young talent and the league's impact on the national team.
There are reports Rizwan will meet PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in the next few days and demand more powers as ODI captain and seek clarity on his future in the T20Is. Telecomasia.net
PCB bans Bosch for quitting HBL PSL season 10
South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch has been banned from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for one year after he withdrew from the 2025 edition despite being picked in the draft.
Bosch was selected by Peshawar Zalmi as a diamond pick but later chose to join Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as an injury replacement. This year, the PSL and IPL schedules overlap, and his decision to withdraw from the PSL led to a legal notice from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The PCB announced the ban on Thursday and said Bosch had "expressed his regrets" over the situation. He will not be allowed to play in the next PSL season in 2026.
In a statement released by the PCB, Bosch said: "I deeply regret my decision to withdraw from the PSL, and offer my sincere apologies to the people of Pakistan, the fans of Peshawar Zalmi, and the wider cricket community. I fully understand the disappointment caused by my actions.
"To the loyal fans of Peshawar Zalmi, I am truly sorry for letting you down. I take full responsibility for my actions, and accept the consequences, including the penalty fine and the one-year ban from the PSL. This has been a hard lesson, but I am committed to learning from this experience, and hope to return to the PSL in the future with renewed dedication and the trust of the fans."
The PCB wanted to set an example through this case and discourage players from leaving the PSL after being drafted, especially for the IPL. This issue has gained attention as the PSL recently moved its window to overlap with the IPL to ensure player availability and only selected players who went unsold in the IPL auction.
The 2025 PSL draft had attracted many well-known players like David Warner, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Jason Holder, and Rassie van der Dussen - all of whom were not picked in the IPL auction.
The 10th edition of the PSL begins on April 11, with defending champions Islamabad United playing Lahore Qalandars in Rawalpindi.
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