PCB plans to remove mentorship panel: sources

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to part ways with five high-profile mentors assigned to domestic teams and the Champions Cup, according to sources.

The move, which comes at the directive of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, signals a shift in strategy ahead of important domestic and international fixtures.

The PCB has finalized plans to remove former cricketers Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, and Sarfaraz Ahmed from their roles as mentors. These individuals were appointed last year under three-year contracts to guide domestic teams in the Champions Cup.

Though an official announcement is still awaited, sources confirm that the decision has already been made internally. Shoaib Malik had previously resigned two weeks ago, stepping down voluntarily before the board's final decision. The remaining four mentors are expected to be informed soon, officially ending what was intended to be a long-term mentorship initiative.

The reasons for this move have not been made public, and the PCB has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter.

It is worth noting that in August 2024, the PCB appointed these five former cricketers through a competitive and transparent process. Each mentor was given the responsibility of leading a domestic team in the Champions Cup, with reports suggesting that they were offered a monthly salary of Rs 5 million.

In another significant development, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi appointed Mike Hesson as the new head coach of the Pakistan national team and named Aqib Javed as the Director of the High-Performance Centre.