PCB Plans Conference with Players, Coaches, and National Selectors
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The PCB’s Strategic Conference Initiative
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is gearing up to organize a comprehensive conference with key stakeholders, including players, coaches, national selectors, and mentors. This initiative is set to take place during or after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and is aimed at addressing and resolving pressing internal issues within the national cricket team.
Concerns Over Communication
A reliable source disclosed on Thursday that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is dissatisfied with the current handling of team-related matters by all involved parties. The source explained, “There has been a lack of proper communication between the team captains, coaches, and selectors in recent months. This communication gap has resulted in discontent among senior players, including ODI and Test captains Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood, as they feel their views have been overlooked in selection and other team matters.”
Rizwan’s Call for Dialogue
Mohammad Rizwan, in particular, has advocated for a meeting with the chairman to address these concerns. The source noted that Rizwan has experienced instances where his input was overridden by interim head coach Aaqib Javed and selectors, leading to frustration regarding selection and team strategy decisions.
Upcoming Discussions
To address these issues, the PCB Chairman is expected to convene a meeting with senior players, selectors, coaches, relevant board officials, and mentors. The goal is to engage in open discussions about the team’s challenges and find solutions collectively.
Past Efforts and Future Decisions
This conference is not an isolated effort. A similar exercise took place last September, during which senior players voiced concerns regarding the performance of certain board officials and the NOC policy for foreign leagues. Furthermore, the PCB must make crucial decisions regarding the coaching staff for the national team. As the PSL concludes next month, Pakistan’s new international home season against Bangladesh looms on the horizon, necessitating clarity on whether Aaqib Javed will be appointed as the permanent head coach or if new coaches will be brought in.