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Pakistan cricket is currently going through a major crisis as they have suffered a 2-0 Test series loss to England, with the third and final Test being scheduled at Edgbaston. The series loss forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to make major changes to both their squad and coaching staff, and Shoaib Akhtar was not surprised by the board’s reaction.
After the two heavy defeats, the PCB removed seven players from the squad while head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant coach Umar Gul were also shown the door. They have brought up seven players, with Mike Hesson handed the responsibility for the Edgbaston Test. Amid this, PSL could move to January as PCB and team owners discuss plans.
Shoaib Akhtar reveals PCB’s big plan to rebuild Pakistan cricket
Reacting to the drama, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has revealed that he had spoken to a PCB official about the team during the England tour. He reportedly made it clear that the board was not expecting much from the current group, and now they want to build a younger team for the future.
The Rawalpindi Express also revealed just how serious the situation is inside Pakistan cricket. He said a PCB official described the state of the game as being on a ventilator and suggested that it could take around two years to get Pakistan cricket back on its feet.
Shoaib Akhtar said on the Outside EDGE show, "The PCB itself was very disappointed by these people, and they don’t expect anything from this Pakistan squad. The plan is to remove this squad and replace them with younger and newer blood. Players who just want to play for Pakistan. They are looking at the future now and they are working at it in the right way.”
Shoaib Akhtar sends big warning to PCB over 3 pacers
The former pacer also warned the PCB against writing off Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf. Akhtar added: “In this transition, I just want Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf’s careers to be saved. These guys have a lot of cricket left in them.”
When Akhtar was asked if Pakistan’s current situation had surprised him, he showed little sympathy and questioned, “What is the shock there? Didn’t you expect that?” On Pakistan’s poor performance against England, Akhtar bluntly said, “We didn’t have the fight in us.” Amid this, Imam-ul-Haq ‘Fake Injury’ Row: Basit Ali demands legal action; Saeed Ajmal criticizes PCB.
Shoaib Akhtar reveals what PCB really expected from Pakistan in England
Akhtar was in Lahore during the second Test and also visited the National Cricket Academy. He saw the work being done there to improve the infrastructure and prepare players for the future. At that time, a PCB official told him what the board expected from the Pakistan team on the England tour.
The former Pakistan fast bowler added, “Nothing. We have expectations from the next generation of players that we are preparing for the big stage.” Akhtar reiterated that the team didn’t show any fight during the ongoing three-match Test series in England. The results also showed how much work is needed if the team wants to compete strongly in Test cricket again.
