Significant changes likely in Pakistan cricket

Pakistan team’s exit from the 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup has increased the chances of significant changes within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

According to sources, the current coaching staff and national selection committee are likely to be shown the door while the future of captain Sarfraz Ahmed is also uncertain.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup, being held in England and Wales, which has raised question marks over the team’s performance. The Men in Green finished with 11 points from nine games during the tournament.   

It is certain that the selection committee, headed by former Pakistan team captain Inzamamul Haq, won’t continue to work in the future and a press release commending their performance and bidding them farewell might just be around the corner. The current board officials were not happy with Inzamam as chairman of selection committee and he had been informed, prior to the World Cup, that his contract will not be extended after the mega event — no matter what the result maybe.

Head Coach Mickey Arthur is also likely to be removed from his role but the PCB has not decided whether the new coach will be a foreign one or a Pakistani national. PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani will meet Arthur in London, during which the latter’s future will be discussed.

Similarly, uncertainty looms large over the future of Sarfraz Ahmed, as captain, but a delay in his removal is possible, owing to the lack of a suitable alternate.

Sources further stated that Arthur and Sarfraz both are hoping to continue but the board has refrained from giving any sort of assurances in this regard.

After attending ICC meetings in England, Managing Director Wasim Khan will exchange views with the cricket committee in a meeting. Currently, the Pakistan cricket team has no commitments in the coming few months and, hence, the board does not want to take a decision in haste.