1st wicket falls as Pakistan coach resigns following series loss to Bangladesh

Former pacer Shabbir Ahmed has resigned from his role as a regional coach with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Shabbir Ahmed highlighted serious concerns about the lack of merit in player selection and nepotism at the grassroots level, which have hampered the improvement of Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan Cricket in disarray

Shabbir Ahmed was the head coach for the Dera Ghazi Khan area. The former fast bowler represented the Men in Green in 10 Tests, 32 ODIs, and one T20I between 1999 and 2007.

He took 51 wickets in Tests and 33 wickets in ODIs but did not take any wickets in his single T20I appearance.

There Is So Much Interference And Nepotism - Shabbir Ahmed

In his resignation letter, Shabbir Ahmed expressed his frustration with the political interference, favoritism, and nepotism.

Shabbir said that these issues were unacceptable and decided to resign from his position. He questioned how cricket could improve under such circumstances.

"How can Pakistan cricket improve when there is no merit in the selection of players at the regional level and there is so much interference and nepotism and favoritism by cricket officials," Shabbir said, as quoted by PTI.

Good Talent Is Overlooked In The Final Selection - Shabbir Ahmed

Shabbir said that he took on the role of head coach in Dera Ghazi Khan to promote and develop cricket at the district and regional levels. He stated that he wanted to nurture young talent and grow the sport. The former cricketer said that good talent is overlooked in the final selection.

"Unfortunately what I have experienced is very frustrating. A player who works hard throughout the year and is a good talent is overlooked in the final selection to pick a player who uses political and other connections to get in," he said.

Shabbir Ahmed said that he was not surprised by the team's 0-2 loss to Bangladesh. He added that even sincere coaches feel powerless within the current system.

"Even if coaches who are sincere want to do something they are helpless in the existing system," Shabbir concluded.

The Men in Green suffered a humiliating 0-2 loss against Bangladesh at home. The Shan Masood-led team lost the first match by 10 wickets at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

They needed to win the second and final Test to avoid a series defeat. However, the hosts lost the match by six wickets at the same venue.

The hosts have slipped to 8th position in the ICC Test team rankings, falling below the West Indies.

Notably. this is their lowest position since 1965. The Men in Green was in 6th place before the Bangladesh series. They have now reached their lowest rating points in the Test rankings table since 1965.

Pakistan will be hoping to bounce back from their series loss to Bangladesh. They will play the three-match Test series against England.

The series will begin on October 7 in Pakistan. During the previous three-match Test series between the two teams, Pakistan suffered a whitewash 3-0 at home.

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