NEW DELHI: Former Pakistani cricket icons Javed Miandad a Shoaib Akhtar criticized the country’s cricket board on Saturday, accusing them of “coercion” Babar Azam resigning as captain and the lack of respect for the players after the World Cup disappointment.
Recognized as one of Pakistan’s greatest batsmen, Miandad raised questions about the decisions taken by the country’s sports governing body. This included concerns over the appointment of Mohammad Hafeez as team director and Wahab Riaz as chief selector.
“There was no need to remove Babar as captain. They acted rashly and at the same time they did not show any respect to a player like Babar,” Miandad said in an interview to PTI.
Miandad expressed that Babar continues to be the future of Pakistan cricket and criticized the board for the perceived mistreatment he received.
“Haven’t other teams lost or underperformed in the World Cup? Do they treat their captains the way they treated Babar?” Minadad asked.
He noted that the random decisions he made PCB it would only hurt Pakistan cricket in the long run.
“The board played a big role in disrupting the team during the World Cup with their fringe plays and it would be right to stick with Babar and give him more squad as he is our best player,” said the former great.
Miandad wondered what the Pakistan dressing room would look like after Riaz and Hafeez were appointed to their respective posts. Both played in the last PSL and Babar was Riaz’s captain in the Peshawar franchise.
“I don’t understand the logic behind appointing just retirees or juniors as Pakistan team director, head coach or chief selector. What is this board doing?
“In a country where there are so many respected and senior players, how can they name Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir?”
Miandad also felt that Babar was a very good batsman and he just needed to tune up.
“He’s making some mistakes in his stance and in the box that can be fixed and he’s going to score big points again. If he ever needs my help, I’m here for him.”
“He can always ask me to spend time with him in the networks. But if someone doesn’t want to use our experience, that’s up to them.”
Akhtar was also upset that Babar had stepped down as captain.
“Babar is our best player and if you show faith in him for 3-4 years, give him another year or so, I am sure he will become a better captain. But this is not the right time to force him as captain.” said the former fast bowler.
Akhrat lamented the way Babar was treated by the board during the World Cup.
“They put so much pressure on him it was unbelievable.
(With PTI inputs)
Recognized as one of Pakistan’s greatest batsmen, Miandad raised questions about the decisions taken by the country’s sports governing body. This included concerns over the appointment of Mohammad Hafeez as team director and Wahab Riaz as chief selector.
“There was no need to remove Babar as captain. They acted rashly and at the same time they did not show any respect to a player like Babar,” Miandad said in an interview to PTI.
Miandad expressed that Babar continues to be the future of Pakistan cricket and criticized the board for the perceived mistreatment he received.
“Haven’t other teams lost or underperformed in the World Cup? Do they treat their captains the way they treated Babar?” Minadad asked.
He noted that the random decisions he made PCB it would only hurt Pakistan cricket in the long run.
“The board played a big role in disrupting the team during the World Cup with their fringe plays and it would be right to stick with Babar and give him more squad as he is our best player,” said the former great.
Miandad wondered what the Pakistan dressing room would look like after Riaz and Hafeez were appointed to their respective posts. Both played in the last PSL and Babar was Riaz’s captain in the Peshawar franchise.
“I don’t understand the logic behind appointing just retirees or juniors as Pakistan team director, head coach or chief selector. What is this board doing?
“In a country where there are so many respected and senior players, how can they name Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir?”
Miandad also felt that Babar was a very good batsman and he just needed to tune up.
“He’s making some mistakes in his stance and in the box that can be fixed and he’s going to score big points again. If he ever needs my help, I’m here for him.”
“He can always ask me to spend time with him in the networks. But if someone doesn’t want to use our experience, that’s up to them.”
Akhtar was also upset that Babar had stepped down as captain.
“Babar is our best player and if you show faith in him for 3-4 years, give him another year or so, I am sure he will become a better captain. But this is not the right time to force him as captain.” said the former fast bowler.
Akhrat lamented the way Babar was treated by the board during the World Cup.
“They put so much pressure on him it was unbelievable.
(With PTI inputs)
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