Pakistan hit rock bottom in England after thrashings at Lord’s and Headingley, forcing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take harsh steps, including calling back seven players and two coaches midway through the series. Pakistan replaced the dropped players with fresh faces, including five debutants. The decision surprised many, but veteran Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar feels that it’s a move in the right direction.
Akhtar said he was not surprised by the PCB’s decision and added that a PCB official told him Pakistan cricket was on a ventilator. He revealed that PCB is now looking at the future and wants to bring in new players who just want to play for Pakistan.
“The PCB itself was very disappointed by these people, and they don’t expect anything from this Pakistan squad. The plan is to remove this squad and replace them with younger and newer blood. Players who just want to play for Pakistan. They are looking at the future now, and they are working at it in the right way,” Akhtar said on the OutSide EDGE show.
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Akhtar said that he wants Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf’s careers to be saved during this transition, adding that they still have a lot to give to Pakistan cricket.
“In this transition, I just want Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf’s careers to be saved. These guys have a lot of cricket left in them,” he added.
On the shambolic performance in England, Akhtar said the PCB themselves had no expectations from the current team. “Nothing. We have expectations from the next generation of players that we are preparing for the big stage.”
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Shoaib Akhtar Happy With PCB’s Efforts
Akhtar revealed that he recently visited the National Cricket Academy and was happy to see the work that was being done to improve the infrastructure and facilities.
“After 26 years, there is work being done at the academy now.”
For the unversed, Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar were the seven players who were sent back from the tour. Out of these seven players, Aamir Jamal and Awais Jafar didn’t play a game in the series. Meanwhile, the two coaches who were asked to return were head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
In their place, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Mohammed Imran Jr, Said Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah were called up.
