The times are turbulent in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), probably fourth time in a row now. It’s hard to keep count of how many changes the Board has gone through in the past few months. Honestly, it’s better to move past calculating these modifications for our own mental health’s sake. One can not sit with the same peace of mind an English or Australian cricket fan does, or a Sri Lankan or probably Indian. We must bear the tumultuousness of all times, all the time, if we are to survive as Pakistan cricket fans.
Taking back Retirements: Is the right Precedence being set?
Two prominent ex-cricketers broke the internet this week after they declared that they are fully available to play for Pakistan. Amongst a pool of young, budding talent, the Pakistan Cricket Board decided it was best to time travel and ask Imad Wasim and Muhammad Amir to mend their decision. It was their recent performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) that the authorities realized how deprived they have been without these two.
Interesting to Read: A Tale of Early Retirements, Controversies, and Comebacks
This stride will only hurt the reputation of this institution. It depicts that the Board is incapable of nurturing, honing and showcasing more talent and when need be, will go back to players who snubbed their national sides just because they felt uncomfortable with a few individuals. Who did not spare an instance of bad-mouthing Pakistan’s most celebrated players and were critical of the smallest of things.
Now I’m all for only experienced players taking the big stage in important tournaments, but not like this. The PCB should have displayed integrity and grace. Talking players to come out of retirement when a plethora of talent is still sitting on the sidelines shows how the whole system functions on biases and prejudice.
Who is going to Lead the Team?
After blaming Babar Azam for the littlest of inconveniences that would occur in Pakistan cricket, the situation was cooked to make sure Azam would resign and he did. From all formats, relieving himself from the relentless blame game and the trauma that comes with it.
After a lot of drama, controversy and dozens of rumours floating around, Shaheen was handed the captaincy. The two-time PSL winner was sought best to lead the pack but so they thought. With a miserably failed New Zealand series and a horrible show at Super League 9, things are looking murky for the Eagle. He’s been judged too quickly and his verdict may come shortly but it probably won’t carry news of his extension.
But who will rise to the occasion? Babar Azam? Probably but he shouldn’t. What he has gone through over the past year should be enough of an eye-opener. Currently, he holds the most experience of leading his side in international tournaments. Shadab and Rizwan are close contenders but haven’t had the chance of captaining the team outside of Pakistan. But it’s just not the international experience only, the art of utilizing the playing XI to the best of its capabilities. And when it comes to the latter, no one stands out as Rizwan does, Babar Azam follows.
The Paradoxical New Management of Pakistan Cricket Board
The new management of the Pakistan Cricket Board, just like its predecessor, is chaired by someone who is more experienced in the political playfield but is learning the ropes of handling a sports board. Mohsin Naqvi might be a well-established politician but still a freshman in the field of cricket. Surprisingly, he has made a few wise decisions which give us a glimmer that all hope is not lost
With a clan of 29 cricketers all set to train with the Pakistan Army, it will give more clarity on who is fit for the upcoming fixtures and tournaments. It will make the selection process easy for the committee. This is in tandem with foreign coaches and a captain whom the Board has promised to stand by no matter what. But if the Pakistan Cricket Board is to make strides, the authorities must look beyond and not behind. What is fresh and raw must be moulded rather than employing players who take up space and cause congestion for youngsters to come.
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