PCB rejects Senator's comments regarding 'forced selections' of Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad [#8]

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Senator Mushahidullah Khan on Wednesday alleged that national team’s head coach-cum-chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq was pressurised by high office to accommodate Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal in the playing eleven against Sri Lanka in recently-concluded T20 series at home.

The Senate Standing Committee on Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC), which met here at Parliament House with Senator Yaqoob Khan Nasir in the chair, criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board over the dismal performance of cricket team against the fourth-tier Sri Lankan team, which outclassed Pakistan, the top-ranked T20 team of the world, in all three matches.

During the course of the meeting, PML-N Senator Mushahidullah raised questions over the selection of discarded batsmen Shehzad and Umar, both of whom could not perform in both T20 matches they played.

The senator alleged that these players were made part of the playing eleven on “sifarish”. After the committee meeting, while explaining his allegations, Senator Mushahidullah said that he came to know that head coach Misbah was not willing to consider the duo for selection but he was pressurised by “upper circles” high office that resulted in the defeat of national team against a depleted Sri Lanka.

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He said that Misbah should not have entertained the ‘sifarish’ but the head coach had no other option but to resign. “Misbah preferred to save his job but the team lost,” he lamented and, in an obvious reference to PM Imran Khan, said that a man who claimed he is Ph.D in cricket is responsible for the national team’s poor performance.

To query about unemployment among the cricketers [because of the closure of department cricket], Mushahidullah said: “What to talk about unemployment of cricketers here, there’s unemployment all around.”

He added that Misbah is otherwise an honest person and his selection as coach was justified.

Earlier, the Standing Committee deferred discussion on matters relating to the Pakistan Cricket Board due to absence of PCB chairman at the forum and decided that a comprehensive briefing will soon be taken from Ehsan Mani regarding the shocking defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in the T20 series.

The matters of poor quality broadcasting of local and international matches by PTV will also come under discussion in the next meeting among other related issues.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Yaqoob Khan Nasir here at the Parliament House and was attended, among others, by Senators Abida Muhammad Azim, Azam Khan Swati, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Faisal Javed, Mushahidullah Khan, Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Secretary Inter-Provincial Coordination Akhter Durrani, Director Domestic cricket PCB Haroon Rasheed and officials from ministry and relevant government departments.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1511346/misbah-was-forced-to-include-shehzad-akmal-in-sl-series

 

[topspin]

This might well be true because neither of these two were Misbah’s cup of tea during his Captaincy days, however knowing his selection preferences it’s very likely he would have picked other TTFs/Seniors at their expense. Lets not forget he selected Iftikhar at no.6 when he should perhaps be trying out Khushdil Shah in that position. Also it seems very likely Azhar Ali will be made captain of the test side. His single minded approach is indefensible.

The question also has to be asked was the PM behind Misbah’s appointment or was this PCB’s incompetence (associated with Wasim Khan and Ehsan Mani).

 

[Energy]

Narrow minded individuals don't realise by making these sensationalist statements they are putting the entire integrity of the institution on the line.

What is 'high office' and 'upper circles'? Desi episode of stranger things? Rather than putting this on Misbah why don't the Senator sahab go ahead and provide the names of the people who were putting pressure.

 

[Shafi]

Suddenly change of tune because of big threat from top mafia people?
Every sensible Pakistan fans knew Misbah was behind their selections. Misbah can only introduce young players if he force to otherwise he wants to turn Pakistan team into a Veteran team.

 

[Shafi]

This might well be true because neither of these two were Misbah’s cup of tea during his Captaincy days, however knowing his selection preferences it’s very likely he would have picked other TTFs/Seniors at their expense. Lets not forget he selected Iftikhar at no.6 when he should perhaps be trying out Khushdil Shah in that position. Also it seems very likely Azhar Ali will be made captain of the test side. His single minded approach is indefensible.

The question also has to be asked was the PM behind Misbah’s appointment or was this PCB’s incompetence (associated with Wasim Khan and Ehsan Mani).

Misbah might bring Shafiq into our T20 team as well. under Misbah some promising players will definitely finish their career for sure. I am really worry about Babar and Shahin's career. Don't forget he will not give opportunities to any younger player under 30.

 

[Danyaalr01]

HAHAHA blaiming the PM for the poor performance of the team. If something goes wrong, blaim Imran Khan. Imran doesn't even hold power over the PCB anymore.

 

[Fahdi]

So this is what goes on in the Senate I see.

 

[MenInG]

PCB clarifies comments on Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal selections

Lahore, 17 October 2019:

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued the following statement in response to comments made by Senator Mr Mushahidullah Khan and has also clarified its position on the Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination.

The PCB said: “The PCB is saddened with the learned Senator’s comments and wishes to put the facts right.

“Firstly, Misbah-ul-Haq, along with the selection committee, is completely empowered to select the best available players to represent Pakistan, taking into account the player performances, form, fitness and using his own judgement, assessment and insight - a right he has earned through his illustrious career.

“Secondly, the PCB encourages and ensures the independence of its selectors enabling them to work without any fear or favour. This key practice was maintained in the selection of the Pakistan cricket team for the series against Sri Lanka, and neither Misbah-ul-Haq was influenced by the PCB nor by the upper circles.

“Thirdly, Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal had earned selections through their performances in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2019, which was the last T20 event held prior to the T20I series against Sri Lanka.

“In the HBL PSL 2019, Ahmed had scored 311 runs in eight matches at an average of 51.83 with a strike-rate of 126.93. He had hit 30 fours and eight sixes. As far as Umar Akmal is concerned, he had scored 277 runs in 12 matches at an average of 34.62 with a strike-rate of 137.12. He had hit 18 fours and 16 sixes. Both the players were members of the Quetta Gladiators side, which won the tournament in front of a packed National Stadium and millions of television viewers.

“Lastly, the letter dated 8 October 2019 addressed to the Chairman PCB, had ‘requested that senior representatives may attend the aforesaid meeting along with all concerned’.

“The PCB Chairman and Chief Executive had been travelling for ICC meetings, Director – Domestic Cricket, and, as such, Mr Haroon Rashid, and Senior Legal Counsel, Barrister Salman Naseer, were nominated to represent the PCB as the nominated individuals are knowledgeable and relevant to the agenda item communicated for the meeting i.e. briefing by PCB regarding the new Domestic Cricket Structure.

“This was communicated through PCB’s letter dated 14 October 2019.”

 

[Mamoon]

HAHAHA blaiming the PM for the poor performance of the team. If something goes wrong, blaim Imran Khan. Imran doesn't even hold power over the PCB anymore.

If previous government was blamed for Sethi’s mistakes, it is only fitting that Imran gets the heat for for Mani’s incompetence. After all, he appointed him and it seems that like of his appointments, it is was a blunder.

 

[Canistani Hero]

Misbah should respond to this.

 

[Slog]

If previous government was blamed for Sethi’s mistakes, it is only fitting that Imran gets the heat for for Mani’s incompetence. After all, he appointed him and it seems that like of his appointments, it is was a blunder.

Sethi was the PCB Chairman and was the one being criticized, not Nawaz Sharif. By that token Wasim Khan or Ehsan Mani should be criticized. Be consistent.

 

[Mamoon]

Sethi was the PCB Chairman and was the one being criticized, not Nawaz Sharif. By that token Wasim Khan or Ehsan Mani should be criticized. Be consistent.

Nawaz was criticized as well because he supposedly appointed Sethi as a favor for supporting him.

 

[Saj]

Why did the PCB even need to respond to this.

Are they now going to respond to every report now.

 

[Savak]

Why did the PCB even need to respond to this.

Are they now going to respond to every report now.

Clarity and Clarification is always better and important

 

[Saj]

Clarity and Clarification is always better and important

It becomes never-ending once you start doing it and it gives importance to people who sometimes don't deserve it.

 

[Bewal Express]

The Senator knows all about corruption, after all he got treatment abroad at the expense of PIA, in this case its just a poor selection and if they hadn't played some on here would be calling for their selection.

 

[Kroll]

if the selections of Shehzad and Akmal weren't bad enough, it's sad that this whole episode has turned their recall into a circus.

 

[Danyaalr01]

Nawaz was criticized as well because he supposedly appointed Sethi as a favor for supporting him.

Nawaz was criticised because Sethi had no experience with such a job and the job was given as a gift for his services to Nawaz's party. Imran appointed Mani due to his experience as the ICC president.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday issued notice to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on a civil miscellaneous application praying to immediately stop former captain Misbah-ul-Haq from working on different posts including as head coach of the national men’s cricket team.

Syed Ali Zahid Bokhari, a lawyer by profession, filed the application in his pending main petition against the appointment of Misbah as head coach, batting coach and chief selector in the cricket board.

Referring to the disgraceful defeat in recently held T20 series with Sri Lanka, the petitioner stated before the court that the performance of the national team will get worsen if the respondent was further allowed to hold the position of head coach. He said the team selection by the respondent was very poor, which resulted in the defeat. He urged the court to pass a stay order and immediately restrain the respondent from working.

Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti observed that the court was not supposed to decide who should play in the team or not. The judge issued a notice on the application seeking reply from the PCB by next week.

The lawyer in his main petition had contended that the former captain lacked required experience to coach the team. He said the appointment had been made in a secret manner and without merit. He said prime minister Imran Khan and Misbah were distant maternal cousins and the PCB showered blessings on the latter to please the former. He said PCB CEO Wasim Khan at a press conference admitted that Misbah did not possess required experience.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1512200/petition-filed-against-misbahs-appointment