Former cricketers advise keeping Babar as captain in meeting with Zaka Ashraf

Former players have backed Babar Azam and asked the PCB chief to let him continue to lead the team, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Tuesday.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Managing Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf held a meeting with former cricketers and sought their advice after the Pakistan cricket team failed to make its mark in the world cup.

Among the participants were Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir. The ex-cricketers shared their experiences and pinpointed that the players were selected with PSL in mind and they were unable to perform in other formats.

“A player is selected based on one good performance and this approach is beyond understanding,” was the consensus.

They said the high performers of the domestic season were altogether ignored, implying that the World Cup fiasco was not surprising.

They said the selection committee should work on merit and consider those who shine on the domestic circuit.

Ashraf immediately disbanded the selection committee and said a new body would select the team for the Australia tour.

The former players also suggested making three different teams across the formats.

Moreover, Ashraf also showed an inclination to engage the former cricketers to bring betterment in Pakistan cricket.

There were reports that Wahab Riaz may be appointed as chief selector, however, PCB Director Media Alia Rashid denied the rumours and said the announcement of the new selection committee will be made in the due course.

She also said that PCB wants to engage former captain Muhammad Hafeez in the board while Sohail Tanveer could get responsibilities at the junior level.

Reporter: Hafiz Shahbaz