[EXCLUSIVE] "Faheem Ashraf's selection was political!": Mirza Iqbal Baig

[The Bald Eagle]

In our latest exclusive interview, senior cricket journalist and analyst Mirza Iqbal Baig shares his candid and thought-provoking insights into the turmoil within Pakistan cricket. With years of experience covering the game, Mirza Iqbal Baig breaks down the challenges facing the team, the impact of political interference, and the key factors behind Pakistan's recent struggles.

Key topics include:

Is Rizwan unhappy? –The inside story behind his frustration with selection and what was his reaction on the current squad.

Foreign coaches & PCB politics – Why Gillespie and Kirsten’s exit was mishandled. How PCB mishandled one of its biggest acquirements in the realm of coaching and how could it impact any such future hiring of the foreign coaches.

Pakistan’s downward spiral – The role of mismanagement and constant changes. How PCT has suffered greatly due to the recent changes in the squad on a massive scale and how such abrupt changes impact the dressing room environment.

Selection controversies – Was Faheem Ashraf picked due to political influence? Is there any truth to the buzz and rumours on social media? Linking his selection to political interference.

Too many coaches, no results – Why Pakistan cricket lacks direction. And how can this be changed in the future for betterment of cricket in Pakistan.

India vs Pakistan – Can Pakistan pull off a miracle or is India too strong?

The future of Pakistan cricket – What needs to change for the team to succeed?

 

[BouncerGuy]

I don't have any doubts that Faheem killed the merit and got into the team because of his political affiliation.

That is how bad thing are in PCB....

 

[Muhammad Saad]

I don't have any doubts that Faheem killed the merit and got into the team because of his political affiliation.

That is how bad thing are in PCB....

As we had next Imran khan sitting out because of him?

 

[BouncerGuy]

As we had next Imran khan sitting out because of him?

There were people ahead of him in the line... He jumped them...

 

[ask_analyse_act]

that was very clear and obvious , he is one of those dubious selection

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Should have included Irfan Niazi or Sajid Khan instead

that was very clear and obvious , he is one of those dubious selection

 

[Savak]

Complete waste of a spot

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Should have included Irfan Niazi or Sajid Khan instead

just need to replace Ayub with Fakhar and thats it... Abdullah Shafique though he scored 0s in the series against SA , the team still did a whitewash , this is the time where u can hide and save the poor patch of players and back them.

Seriously cannot understand their logic , they back players when the team is losing and drop players when the team is winning lol..

 

[ask_analyse_act]

if they want a pace bowling allrounder , they should have selected Abbas Afridi who did well in the last 3 series and Wasim Jr who can swing ball both ways.. briniging faheem from nowhere is simply obvious that its for a political connection attached to it..

 

[Bewal Express]

Thanks to Nawaz Sharif this gorm got a place.

 

[happydavy]

hehe blame the player who didn't even play!

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

No Rana jee deserves to play. He is the answer to Pandya for Pakistan.

 

[RyanRyan10]

No Rana jee deserves to play. He is the answer to Pandya for Pakistan.

He is way more talented

 

[BouncerGuy]

Whole PCB system is flawed and full of political appointees. Faheem used the same ladder to get selected.

 

[Hellion]

There were people ahead of him in the line... He jumped them...

Like who ? Which seam allrounder is ahead?

Faheem Ashraf had a great BPL.
Aamer Jamal got smashed at 9.5 economy even on BPL pitches.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Like who ? Which seam allrounder is ahead?

Faheem Ashraf had a great BPL.
Aamer Jamal got smashed at 9.5 economy even on BPL pitches.

IF BPL is the merit for selection then PCB should scrap its domestic cricket.

 

[Hellion]

IF BPL is the merit for selection then PCB should scrap its domestic cricket.

What has Aamer Jamal done in domestic that Faheem hasn't ?

 

[BouncerGuy]

What has Aamer Jamal done in domestic that Faheem hasn't ?

What has abbas and jahandad done wrong. they were your number 1 choice in south Africa, Australia but you dropped them out of nowhere. What did sufiyan did wrong because we ignored a specialist spinner for faheem as well.

Faheem jumped quite a few step to get into the team Bruh... Facts

 

[Hellion]

What has abbas and jahandad done wrong. they were your number 1 choice in south Africa, Australia but you dropped them out of nowhere. What did sufiyan did wrong because we ignored a specialist spinner for faheem as well.

Faheem jumped quite a few step to get into the team Bruh... Facts

Abbas in ODIs is not an option . Also he's not an allrounder ..

I asked you specifically which seam allrounder is better ?

Jahandad Khan has not played a single ODI and got smashed even by Zimbabwe in T20 cricket .

Again , no competition for Faheem

 

[BouncerGuy]

Abbas in ODIs is not an option . Also he's not an allrounder ..

I asked you specifically which seam allrounder is better ?

Jahandad Khan has not played a single ODI and got smashed even by Zimbabwe in T20 cricket .

Again , no competition for Faheem

Compare their records in LIST A and T20s and you will have a great idea what I am saying...

 

[BouncerGuy]

Abbas in ODIs is not an option . Also he's not an allrounder ..

I asked you specifically which seam allrounder is better ?

Jahandad Khan has not played a single ODI and got smashed even by Zimbabwe in T20 cricket .

Again , no competition for Faheem

My point is faheem was not even in the PCB system and nobody was calling his name but he got selected in the name of experience and Pakistan did not even needed him as we have already seen that he has not played a single game in CT...

 

[BouncerGuy]

My point is faheem was not even in the PCB system and nobody was calling his name but he got selected in the name of experience and Pakistan did not even needed him as we have already seen that he has not played a single game in CT...

His ODI batting average is around 10.14, and his bowling average is over 100 in recent matches.

Faheem was not part of recent tours to South Africa and Australia, nor does he hold a central contract.

 

[Savak]

Faheem Ashraf is one highly connected dude, the PCB never gave a proper chance to the likes of Aamir Yamin or Amad Butt in their primes but for some reason the PCB always treated Faheem Ashraf as if he was the only pace bowling all rounder in Pakistan.

 

[mango_bite77]

As we had next Imran khan sitting out because of him?

I would pick any random domestic youngster rather than Faheem Ashraf.

 

[mango_bite77]

hehe blame the player who didn't even play!

Yes he didn't play, but if he was not selected, a deserving spinner would have been picked considering the CT was in Asia.

 

[IM NOT YOU]

Abbas in ODIs is not an option . Also he's not an allrounder ..

I asked you specifically which seam allrounder is better ?

Jahandad Khan has not played a single ODI and got smashed even by Zimbabwe in T20 cricket .

Again , no competition for Faheem

so any player who has not played an ODI cannot get into the ODI team. Ok thanks for clarifying your selection policy. That means we can expect all the current players to play another 100 years LOL

 

[RyanRyan10]

IF BPL is the merit for selection then PCB should scrap its domestic cricket.

Faheem Ashraf in President's Cup

- He scored 264 runs in 4 innings at an average of 66 and SR of 129 and was the 2nd top run getter despite batting at no.6

- He also picked up 6 wickets in 5 innings