Tauseef Ahmed reveals reasons behind absence from PCB Chairman's meeting

Former Pakistan Test cricketer Tauseef Ahmed has shed light on his absence from a crucial meeting convened by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday night at a hotel on Mall Road, Lahore.

In a recent interview with a local news channel, Ahmed disclosed that despite invitations extended to former cricketers for discussions, he was notably overlooked. The reason, Ahmed clarified, stemmed from issues with Director Domestic Cricket Khurram Niazi.

Ahmed highlighted that his exclusion was directly linked to past interactions with Niazi regarding Islamabad Cricket selections.

He acknowledged receiving notices from Niazi concerning these matters in the past, underscoring his dedication to transparency in scrutinizing the selection process and providing detailed feedback to the board.

The revelation underscores ongoing dynamics within Pakistan's cricket administration, highlighting Ahmed's perspective on his involvement and the challenges within the PCB's consultative processes.

Meanwhile, a high-level meeting of former cricketers today, chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi, aimed to gather insights and suggestions from experienced players to enhance the national cricket setup. Over fifteen former Test and international cricketers participated in the discussion, including notable figures such as Salman Butt, Ijaz Ahmed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Basit Ali, Intikhab Alam, Asim Kamal, Mohammad Sami, Shafiq Papa, Yasir Hameed, Saleem Altaf, Haroon Rasheed, Yasir Shah, Sikandar Bakht, Wajahatullah Wasti, and Azhar Khan.

A key issue raised during the meeting was the team combination and selection for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Some cricketers expressed concerns over the team's composition, pointing out an imbalance with too many openers and a lack of reliable middle-order batters, which they argued was detrimental to the team's performance. Additionally, frequent changes in the captaincy were highlighted as a significant factor contributing to the team's instability.

Emphasizing the importance of prioritizing fitness without any compromise, the cricketers stressed that consistent performance hinges on players' physical readiness.

In response, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi assured the attendees of the board's commitment to address the concerns raised. He pledged to improve Pakistan's domestic cricket structure and other related matters based on the valuable suggestions provided during the meeting.