Pakistan cricket team file photo.©AFP
Following Pakistan’s earlier-than-expected exit from the T20 World Cup, reports have emerged that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may take strict action against players. Some reports have suggested that the board plans to sack eight to nine players from the current squad, while other reports have suggested that cricketers may face the risk of central contract review and salary cuts. Even PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi hinted at a “major surgery” after the loss to India, adding that the board may have to look beyond the current players in the squad.
“Initially it seemed he would only need a minor surgery but after his very poor performance against India it is clear he needs a major surgery,” Naqvi said after Pakistan’s defeat to India.
“Our performance has been terrible. Our biggest challenge is to improve the team’s performance. We were very disappointed to lose to the US but now we have lost to India. We now need to look at players other than the ones we have in the team now,” he added.
However, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif refused to put all the blame on the players, adding that the PCB was equally responsible for the disaster.
“250 million Pakistanis have a right to know which selectors voted for which players. PCB should make public the minutes of the selection committee’s last meeting,” Latif said, retweeting a tweet by a Pakistani journalist from X.
Latif suggested that all members of the PCB, along with the apex governing body, should be fired.
“Before pinning the blame on the players they need to sack the PCB and its governing bodies first! They are the ones responsible for selecting the players & management for this tour and getting them physically & mentally in shape for the T20 World Cup! They need to be fired! But will they?,” said another tweet, reposted by Latif.
Last year, then PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf announced a significant increase in players’ salaries and would give the PCB a percentage of revenue from the ICC.
Naqvi also announced ahead of the World Cup in the United States and the West Indies that each player would receive a $100,000 bonus if they won the tournament.
(With PTI input)
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