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Pakistan captain Babar Azam sparked considerable discussion as PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi convened a gathering of former Pakistan cricketing legends. Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hosted a high-profile meeting of ex-cricketers at a hotel on Mall Road in Lahore. The aim was to harness the insights and recommendations of seasoned players to bolster the national cricket framework.
Chairing the meeting was PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi. According to Cricket Pakistan, the event saw participation from more than fifteen former Test and international cricketers. Together, they put forth a diverse range of suggestions aimed at elevating Pakistan’s cricket infrastructure and elevating its on-field performance.
Former Pakistan players raised doubts about Babar Azam’s effectiveness during a recent meeting convened by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.
Among the distinguished guests were Salman Butt, Ijaz Ahmed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Basit Ali, Intikhab Alam, Asim Kamal, Mohammad Sami, Shafiq Papa, Yasir Hameed, Saleem Altaf, Haroon Rasheed, Yasir Shah, Sikandar Bakht, Wajahatullah Wasti, and Azhar Khan.
A major point of discussion during the gathering was the composition and selection strategy of the Pakistan cricket team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. It was reported that several former cricketers voiced their apprehensions regarding the team’s lineup, citing an overabundance of openers which, in their view, has left a noticeable dearth of dependable middle-order batsmen.
Criticism was directed towards the current selection committee for what was perceived as a flawed approach that has negatively impacted the national team’s performance. Moreover, the frequent changes in captaincy were lambasted by these former players as a contributing factor to the team’s instability, with many participants advocating for a more consistent leadership approach.
Fitness emerged as another pivotal topic during the high-profile meeting, with former cricketers underscoring the importance of maintaining top-notch fitness standards to ensure sustained performance at the international level. There has been widespread critique of the current fitness levels among Pakistani players.
Mohsin Naqvi assures he will address all concerns raised by the former cricketers.
Following the concerns raised in the meeting, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly assured former cricketers that decisive actions would be taken to address their issues. Naqvi committed to overhauling Pakistan’s domestic cricket framework and implementing necessary adjustments based on the constructive feedback gathered during the session.
In a related development, former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad and Rashid Latif were also invited to the meeting but were unable to attend. Miandad cited health reasons for his absence, while Latif regretfully missed the meeting due to prior commitments.
Naqvi, reflecting on the meeting’s outcomes, disclosed that comprehensive discussions centered on various facets of domestic cricket. He acknowledged the valuable insights provided by all participants, underscoring the importance of structural reforms and strategic planning in shaping the future trajectory of Pakistan cricket.
On being asked by a journalist, “Will Babar Azam remain captain?” The PCB chief replied, “There has been no discussion on this yet.” Naqvi clarified that the meeting’s primary focus was on enhancing the structure and strategic direction of Pakistan cricket, rather than deliberating on the captaincy. This indicates that Babar Azam’s position as the white-ball captain remains secure, at least for the time being.
