PCB removes mentors of domestic teams

The Pakistan Cricket Board has removed Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Sarfaraz Ahmed as mentors with the domestic teams as the former greats were not producing the desired results.

With the yesteryears' stars failing to produce the desired results in return for the huge money they were being paid, the PCH decided to sack them, sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).

The quintet, greats in their playing days, were tasked to help the domestic teams and players, both men and women, in August last year. But media and other former players criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for paying a whopping five million rupees (18,000 US dollars) to each of them for the job.

"PCB chairman has conveyed to the mentors that their services were no longer required as the desired results were not achieved," said sources. "The huge amount of money also has its implications with fears that the International Cricket Council's annual funding may be reduced in the wake of fears that television rights of international cricket may attract less price in the next cycle (2028-2032).

Malik, having sensed PCB's imminent decision, had conveyed to the Board that he doesn't want to continue as mentor as he was finding it difficult to juggle between his commercial commitments and mentorship.

Shockingly, the five mentors were also allowed to do media assignments during the Champions Trophy and Pakistan Super League – earning millions more from Pakistani channels.

Malik was forced to defend his role as mentor during his appearance for national channel, the Pakistan Television, during the Champions Trophy. "We are not PCB's employees." Malik justified mentors' appearance on TV despite being involved with domestic teams.

Pakistan's domestic cricket is considered as the main reason for the country's poor showings at the international level.

Sources said Misbah and Sarfaraz will still be part of the PCB in new positions. Misbah is amongst the candidates to take over as red-ball head coach, having been Pakistan's most successful Test captain with 26 wins in 56 Tests.