Miandad and Shoaib Akhtar lash out at PCB for “forcing” Babar to step down from captaincy

Former Pakistan stalwarts Javed Miandad and Shoaib Akhtar on Saturday lashed out on the nation’s cricket board for “forcing” Babar Azam to step down from captaincy and for not displaying respect to the gamers after the World Cup debacle.

Miandad, considered considered one of Pakistan’s all-time finest batters, additionally questioned a number of the selections taken by the administration committee operating the game within the nation, together with the appointment of Muhammad Hafeez as workforce director and Wahab Riaz as chief selector. “There was no need to remove Babar from the captaincy. They have acted in haste and in the process also shown no respect for a player like Babar,” Miandad instructed PTI in an interview.

Miandad mentioned Babar remained the way forward for Pakistan cricket and he had been badly handled by the Board.

“Didn’t other teams lose in the World Cup or perform badly? Are their captains being treated the way Babar has been treated?” Minadad requested.

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He famous that the haphazard selections taken by the PCB would solely hurt Pakistan cricket in the long term.

“The board played a big role in disturbing the team during the World Cup with its games on the sidelines and the correct thing would have been to stick with Babar and give him more team as he is our best player,” the previous nice mentioned.

Miandad questioned how the Pakistan dressing room would now be after the appointment of Riaz and Hafeez of their respective posts. Both performed within the final PSL and Babar was Riaz’s captain within the Peshawar franchise.

“I don’t understand the logic behind appointing just retired or junior players as director Pakistan team, head coach or chief selectors. What is this Board doing? “In a country where there are so many respected and senior players, how can they appoint Muhammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir.” Miandad additionally felt that Babar was a really high-quality batsman and he simply wanted to high-quality tune himself.

“There are some mistakes he is making in his stance and at the crease which can be sorted out and he will be scoring big runs again. If ever he needs my help I am there for him.

“He can always ask me to spend time with him in the nets. But if anyone doesn’t want to use our experience that is up to him.” Akhtar was additionally upset at Babar stepping down as captain.

“Babar is our best player and when you show faith with him for 3-4 years, give him another year or so I am sure he will become a better captain. But this is not the right time to force him out as skipper,” mentioned the previous quick bowler.

Akhrat lamented on the method the Board had handled Babar all through the World Cup.

“They put so much pressure on him it was unreal.”