Pakistan cricket has once again plunged into controversy after the squad for the upcoming T20I series in Bangladesh was announced on Tuesday—not by selectors, but by unrelated PCB officials. The move drew sharp criticism from former players and commentators, who labelled it another example of the chaos plaguing the country’s cricket administration.
The 15-man squad, which notably omitted Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, was unveiled in Lahore by Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed and Aamir Mir, adviser to the PCB chairman and also the board’s media director. None of the four selectors — Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Aleem Dar or Asad Shafiq — were present to explain the decisions.
Both Syed and Mir struggled to justify the selections. Asked why Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen were left out, Mir offered a puzzling response: “These players are one-day international players, so when the squad for ODIs is announced, you will see.”
Both Syed and Mir struggled to justify the selections. Asked why Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen were left out, Mir offered a puzzling response: “These players are one-day international players, so when the squad for ODIs is announced, you will see.”
Having the COO and director media sit to announce the squad is highly unprofessional. It seems PCB is working without direction and wants to create chaos. Even if there was some issue with the selectors, this is not acceptable. Whoever picked the squad should have been there to justify it.
Latif also criticised the board’s inconsistency. “They appointed mentors like Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik and Saqlain Mushtaq at five million rupees per month and then scrapped the idea. This is a prime example of not sticking to decisions.”
Former fast bowler Abdur Rauf was equally scathing. “If these officials want their photos in the newspapers or to appear on television, they should hold administrative press conferences. Every country has selectors announce the squads — look at Ajit Agarkar recently announcing India’s team for England. This is the height of unprofessionalism.”
Former batter Basit Ali also voiced strong objections. “This is total injustice to Shaheen by the selectors,” Basit said. “Don’t do this to Pakistan cricket, please. You’re spoiling the team’s chances.”
He warned that the fallout could grow. “The winds will change after the West Indies tour and everything will change. We always pray for the Pakistan team’s success, but with decisions like this, you’re damaging it.”
Basit also lamented the exclusion of big-hitting batter Irfan Khan. “Doesn’t he hit sixes? Hasn’t he performed in the PSL? This is half-baked selection. Other teams are moving higher and higher—look at India—and we’re falling further behind.”
