Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, addressed journalists in Lahore, stating that there have been no discussions yet regarding Babar Azam's future as captain of the national team.
During a recent meeting with players, the focus was primarily on enhancing domestic cricket, he informed. Players expressed strong opinions on improving the domestic structure and emphasized the importance of maintaining high fitness standards.
Responding to queries from journalists about Babar Azam’s captaincy, the PCB chairman reiterated that no discussions have taken place on this matter so far. He clarified that meetings with coaches are yet to be scheduled.
The uncertainty surrounding Babar Azam's captaincy has sparked speculation among cricket enthusiasts, but as of now, no decisions have been made regarding his leadership role in the team.
Earlier, former cricketers convened with officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to discuss pivotal changes needed to bolster domestic cricket and address concerns within the national team’s setup.
During the meeting, several key suggestions emerged aimed at enhancing the quality and structure of cricket in Pakistan. Intikhab Alam and Saleem Altaf advocated for greater emphasis on four-day and under-19 formats, stressing the importance of cohesive departmental coordination in cricket operations.
Improving ground conditions and standardizing pitches were highlighted as crucial by former players, underscoring the need for top-notch facilities to nurture talent effectively. Additionally, concerns were raised about the quality of cricket balls used in matches, with calls for improvements to enhance gameplay standards.
The meeting also saw proposals for extending school cricket matches to two to three days, aimed at fostering a more competitive environment from grassroots levels upwards.
Haroon Rasheed emphasized the importance of education and qualifications among coaching staff, urging PCB not to overlook the expertise of former players who possess advanced degrees.
Addressing concerns about coaching opportunities, Asim Kamal advocated for early coaching courses for under-16 cricketers to ensure comprehensive skill development from a young age.
Yasir Hameed challenged the perception that seasoned players do not receive coaching opportunities, calling for a paradigm shift in coaching selection criteria.
Voices were also raised regarding the recent performance of Pakistan's national team in the T20 World Cup, with Sadiq Muhammad expressing disappointment over middle-order batting inconsistencies.
Concerns were echoed by Sikandar Bakht about the lack of a structured mechanism for promoting players from first-class cricket to international level, suggesting a need for clearer pathways.
Salman Butt criticized the scheduling of the ODI Cup in September, suggesting a re-evaluation starting with four-day matches followed by one-day formats. He also proposed granting NOCs (No Objection Certificates) to players after five first-class matches to participate in leagues, aiming to broaden opportunities for cricketers.
Butt further highlighted the necessity for the national team captain and vice-captain to have more involvement in pitch assessments, emphasizing the need for strategic planning ahead of matches.
