[EXCLUSIVE] "Salman Ali Agha didn't want the senior cricketers in the team": Mirza Iqbal Baig

[Ball Blazer]

In this exclusive interview, veteran journalist Mirza Iqbal Baig pulls back the curtain on the deep-rooted issues plaguing Pakistani cricket. The esteemed analyst delivers a blistering assessment of PCB's chaotic administration, the baffling central contracts, the controversial exclusion of star players, and the alleged culture of favoritism — and much more.

Key topics include:

• Pakistan’s recent performance against the West Indies: Baig reflects on Pakistan’s disappointing tour, noting that while they edged the T20I series 2–1, they suffered a 2–1 defeat in the ODIs — their first ODI series loss to 10th-ranked West Indies in 34 years. He attributes the setback to inconsistent white-ball captaincy and an overreliance on all-rounders at the expense of specialists.
• Issues with team selection: Iqbal Baig believes there is clear favoritism towards players from Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars, pointing to the influence of Mike Hesson and Aaqib Javed’s ties with those franchises. He also highlights that Pakistan’s batting coach, Hanif Malik, is linked with Islamabad United, further reinforcing this bias.
• Flawed central contracts: The discussion also turns to the controversial central contracts, where no player was placed in Category A and Test captain Shan Masood was relegated to Category D. Mirza suggests this reflects the PCB’s intention to strip Masood of the captaincy. He further highlights the hypocrisy of vice-captain Saud Shakeel being in Category C, while injury-prone players like Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali were awarded Category B.
• Exclusion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan: Baig claims that Agha Salman was reluctant to include senior players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi in the T20I side. However, Afridi forced his way back into the squad on the strength of his stellar PSL X performances.
• The selection committee: Mirza Baig highlights serious flaws in the selection setup, noting that in the absence of a head selector, Aaqib Javed has effectively assumed the role of unofficial chief, while Wahab Riaz acts as an advisor to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. He further alleges that Aaqib Javed is using his influence to favor former Lahore Qalandars teammates in national selection.
• Decline of Pakistani cricket: The video concludes with a discussion about the deteriorating quality of Pakistani cricket, which Iqbal Baig attributes to a focus on quantity over quality, a flawed domestic structure, and political bureaucrats taking over the PCB.

You can watch the full interview with Saj here:

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

When coaches move from franchise cricket to international cricket, it's quite natural for them to champion/bring on people they have previously worked closely with. When Gambhir became Indian team head-coach he brought on Morne Morkel, Ryan ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar to the coaching staff, who he had previously worked with at KKR. Attributing Hanif Malik's appointment to favoritism is just stupid and ignorant.

This is true for players too. Every coach wants to back certain players they think can be good players. It happens all over the world and sometimes you need to show favoritism to give certain players, who would otherwise be dropped after a few failures. If you really want to see favoritism in action, see how McCullum has backed Zak Crawley.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars are two most successful PSL franchises. Obviously they must be doing something right. Including picking up the right players.

And this is not a quota system where a squad selection has to include equal number of players from each franchise that year.

 

[MenInG]

The incorruptible Mirza Sahib.

I have spoken many times in person with him when I was covering games for PP and the depth of his knowledge of Pakistan cricket is incredible.

I pretty much consider his take as the Gospel truth.

 

[CricVet]

If this is how Salman thinks, then I fully agree with him. The senior culture in Pakistan cricket is deeply toxic. Sadly, instead of developing grace and humility with seniority, many Pakistanis at that level become greedier and push nepotism.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I don't think Mirza sahib is telling any lies here.. He is one of the most respected guys out there when it comes to cricket journalism.

If Salman wanted no seniors, then there could be multiple reasons. One of them could be that he wanted continuity and also there could be a reason that he wants to save his place.

 

[HaiderAmmar]

There are only 2 players who are senior than Agha (Riz and Babar). Otherwise, Khurshid Shah and all others are not seniors.

And it is not only Agha, but majority of us agree that both Riz/Babar should not be a part of T20 team.

If Riz/Babar also show some performance in domestics, than they will also make their way into the national T20 team, as Shaheen did.