No decision yet to remove Babar Azam as captain, says PCB chairman

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that no decision has yet been taken to remove Babar Azam as captain of T20 team, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Talking informally to sports journalists in Lahore on Thursday, Mohsin Naqvi said he was in contact with former best cricketers, seeking advise on how to improve cricket in Pakistan.

The PCB chief made in clear that he never makes a decision when he is angry.

Head coach Gary Kirsten has submitted a report in which he has detailed the performance of the team in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said those responsible for wrong decisions and selections within the selection committee will be held accountable.

He clarified that Wahab Riaz was appointed as a selector, not the chief selector, and upcoming changes in the selection committee will soon be revealed.

Mohsin Naqvi highlighted various challenges and upcoming changes within the PCB.

He acknowledged the report submitted by Head Coach Gary Kirsten detailing the World Cup performance and mentioned upcoming sessions with Kirsten, Jason Gillespie, and Azhar Mahmood to discuss team performance improvements.

"Improving the national team's poor performance is the biggest target," Naqvi said. He stated that during his last four months as chairman, he has realized that everything in the PCB was disordered and that the information being communicated internally is completely different from what is happening on the ground. He added that upgrading stadiums is also a significant task.

He noted ongoing changes within the PCB and clarified that no decision has yet been made to replace Babar Azam as captain, with any such decision to be taken by former cricketers.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi highlighted the valuable input received from former players on improving cricket standards.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that players should prioritize Pakistan over other engagements.

He announced that cricketers requesting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for leagues before the Test series will not be granted permission.

It is worth mentioning that the sources said Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan have requested NOCs for the Global T20 (GT20) League.

Anyhow, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that the central contract will undergo a thorough review, including a fitness clause, ensuring only those meeting fitness standards will receive contracts.

He stressed that domestic and international players must pass fitness tests, including the Yo-Yo test, with no compromises on fitness.

He declared that international players must participate in domestic cricket to be eligible for the national team, and only those performing well in domestic matches will be considered for national selection.

He mentioned a video call with Shan Masood discussing improvements and confirmed no decision has been made to remove Masood. Positive feedback has been received about him.

Naqvi promised transparency on player adherence to instructions during the World Cup, noting that the role of each player in the dressing room will be scrutinized.

He also highlighted issues within the women’s team, noting a lack of oversight and clarity in selection processes.

Regarding the incident of misbehaive with Haris Rauf, Naqvi stated that the FIA has been involved, and those who mistreat cricketers will face strict consequences.

He announced that the Test series against Bangladesh would not be hosted in Lahore, with venues confirmed as Multan, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, with dates to be announced soon. PCB Chairamn said he will attend the ICC Board Meeting on July 20-21.

The PCB chairman asserted that PCB decisions are not influenced by social media, and he will not be swayed by tweets or external pressure. He stressed the importance of making well-considered decisions and his commitment to facing challenges head-on.

Regarding criticism from the Home Department about his time allocation, Naqvi said he plans to focus on the PCB for three to four months to set things on track.

Reporter Waseem Ahmad