Pakistan Cricket Board president Mohsin Naqvi made a series of proposals to improve the quality of cricket in the country after a meeting with officials including senior men’s team white-ball coach Gary Kirsten and Test coach Jason Gillespie. Various proposals to improve the state of the sport from the grassroots level to the senior cricket team were discussed during the three-hour meeting at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in a statement from the national cricket body, said there would be zero tolerance for indiscipline and warned against grouping within the national team. The strong recommendation comes after reports of discord and misconduct within the Pakistan camp following their T20 World Cup failure. Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam had been at odds throughout the T20 World Cup campaign and it was reported there were factions within the team.
The PCB also made it mandatory for players to undergo fitness tests once in three months, adding that fitness would be a key criterion for selection. The board also urged players to participate in domestic cricket and suggested that no-objection certificates to play in overseas T20 leagues would be issued only to players who are healthy and abide by domestic cricket policies.
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“There will be no compromise on discipline. There will be a zero-tolerance policy towards players who break discipline. There must be unity and agreement within the team. Grouping of players will not be allowed.” The management should take strict action against grouping. “Any undisciplined player will have no place in the team. Please do not accept my recommendations regarding undisciplined players,” coach Mohsin Naqvi said in a PCB statement.
Kirsten Gillespie joins selection committee
Meanwhile, Pakistan have confirmed that Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten have joined the selection committee, a move that comes days after Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq were removed from the selection committee.
“Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie have been fully empowered. I have every confidence in them. Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie have been given free reign and I expect the best from both of them,” Naqvi said.
While Pakistan have struggled to live up to expectations on the field, off-field controversies have dogged the team. Babar Azam failed to live up to the faith shown by the new officials and Pakistan struggled to gain momentum in the T20 World Cup, crashing out in the group stage after losses to arch rivals India and debutants USA. Babar stepped down as captain after Pakistan’s debacle in last year’s ODI World Cup. Shaheen Afridi was appointed T20I captain but the left-handed pacer was sacked after just one series. Babar was reappointed as captain ahead of the T20 World Cup, sparking speculation and rumours about team cohesion.
Pakistan, who have not played an international match since their T20 World Cup defeat, will resume action with a two-Test match series against Bangladesh at home from August 21.
