'Dhoni IPL Khel Raha Hai. Usse Cricket Chhode Huye 2 Saal Ho Gaye': Pakistan Veteran's Scathing Attack On PCB Over Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik, a seasoned player, was not a member of the 15-man roster despite much anticipation, but Shaheen Shah Afridi made a triumphant return to Pakistan’s selection for the eagerly awaited World T20. The all-rounder was expected to make a comeback after Pakistan’s dismal middle-order performances at the most recent Asia Cup.

Malik, whose last T20 International was against Bangladesh in November of last year, might have brought a wealth of experience to the batting lineup, according to former players and commentators who criticised his exclusion from the championship match in Australia the following month. 

Kamran Akmal Criticises Pakistan’s Cricket Board

Malik himself tweeted a mysterious message on the team’s selecting process. “When will we come out from friendship, liking and disliking culture. Allah always helps the honest,” he wrote. Malik was a member of the Pakistani team that advanced to the semifinals of the 2017 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. 

– When will we come out from friendship, liking & disliking culture.
Allah always helps the honest…

— Shoaib Malik ?? (@realshoaibmalik) September 11, 2022

Veteran Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal has also criticised his nation’s cricket governing body for prioritising an athlete’s age over their ability. He used former India captain, MS Dhoni, as an illustration.

Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni still plays a crucial role for Chennai Super Kings and the IPL. 

“England waaley Alastair Cook ko khila rahe hai. Woh kya paagal hai? Dhoni IPL khel raha hai. Usse cricket chhode huye 2 saal ho gaye. Use koi keh raha hai ke naa khele? Humaare yaha par age ko lekey pata nahi kya issue banaya hua hai. Kya Shoaib Malik ki fitness or form nahi hai? Agar woh Pakistan ke liye suitable hai toh khilaye use.

(Alastair Cook is still playing domestic despite retiring in 2018, and MS Dhoni is still playing IPL, are they mad? But here they start chirping about age. Is Shoaib Malik not fit or is there an issue with his form? If he is suitable, then he should play. It’s as simple as that)” said Akmal in an interview with Cricket Pakistan. 

Kamran Akmal Having High Hopes From Ramiz Raza

Akmal referred to the present administration as “egoistic” and discussed how players rather than coaches were held accountable for the team’s success. The stumper thought that current chairman Ramiz Raja, a former player, would improve the performance of the PCB. 

“There is no coordination in management; they are egoistic and think that they will remain in PCB for their whole life. I have seen that all the blame is associated with players and management doesn’t take it on to them.

The past three coaches also blamed players and didn’t accept that our decisions were wrong. Tell me when coaches have been held accountable?” 

“I have hope because of Ramiz Raja, who is also a former cricketer. Raja must know the value of a cricketer is whether he is part of an international team or not,” he added. 

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