Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has defended the main modifications made to Pakistan’s Take a look at squad throughout the ongoing England sequence, saying the choices had been “important”.Pakistan made sweeping modifications earlier than the third and last Take a look at in opposition to England, scheduled to start on September 9.The transfer got here after Pakistan misplaced the primary two Exams closely, with England taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. Pakistan misplaced the primary Take a look at by an innings, whereas the second led to a 194-run defeat.
Naqvi responds to criticism
The modifications have drawn sturdy criticism from former Pakistan cricketers, followers and analysts. Nonetheless, Naqvi mentioned he was not involved by the backlash and maintained that the choices throughout the England tour had been crucial.He mentioned he was additionally analyzing points past the workforce’s poor performances however believed it was not the proper time to debate issues unrelated to cricket. Whereas acknowledging Pakistan’s disappointing Take a look at outcomes, Naqvi pointed to enhancements within the workforce’s white-ball cricket throughout his tenure.“I’ve by no means been afraid of criticism, and I by no means can be. Those that say cricket has been destroyed since I got here – take a look at what the rankings had been earlier than,” he mentioned as quoted by Geo Information.
Main modifications to Take a look at squad
Following the second loss, the PCB launched seven gamers from the squad: Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.The board changed them with 5 uncapped gamers, together with Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who collectively have solely 10 matches of expertise. The brand new gamers embrace Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah.The PCB additionally made modifications to the teaching workers, bringing in Mike Hesson as head coach and Ashley Noffke as bowling coach. Each are already a part of Pakistan’s white-ball teaching set-up. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul had been launched from their respective teaching roles.
