Recent developments within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have set the stage for a series of critical observations from one of the nation’s most venerated cricket veterans, Javed Miandad. Central to Miandad’s concern is the board’s decision to overlook Sarfaraz Ahmed in favor of Shan Masood for the captaincy of the Test team on their tour of Australia. The veteran cricketer expressed that Sarfaraz’s extensive experience and previous success as Pakistan’s captain should have made him the prime candidate to lead the team in the challenging conditions down under.
Speaking to the press in Karachi, Miandad fervently stated, “It is clear that Sarfaraz is a very seasoned cricketer and has done well as captain before for Pakistan. If he had been made captain, it would have been vital for the team in Australia, which is a tough place to tour.” He underscored his stance by adding, “Sarfaraz Ahmed should not only be included in the team against Australia, but due to his experience, he should have been the captain.”
Adding to the controversy, Miandad critiqued the recent appointments of Wahab Riaz as chief selector, Mohammad Hafeez as team director, and Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal as bowling coaches. He expressed a long-held belief that in international cricket, it is essential to maintain an age gap between players and coaches to foster respect. Miandad bluntly remarked, “I don’t see any logic behind bringing in players as selectors, coaches, and director who have played with most of the current players.”
In a stern assessment of PCB’s decision-making, Miandad lamented that individuals lacking a fundamental understanding of modern cricket have displaced Babar Azam as captain across all formats. He predicted, “This will have a negative impact on the team in coming days.”
Miandad also delved into the track record of foreign coaches within Pakistan’s cricket establishment. He described the two-decade practice of hiring foreign coaches as less than fruitful, noting the country’s failure to even make it to the semi-finals of the World Cup. Specifically, he called out Mickey Arthur’s tenure, suggesting his appointment on preferential terms was an affront to local coaching talent that could otherwise make meaningful contributions to the team.
In stark contrast, Miandad drew attention to India’s cricketing success, which has thrived under the leadership of home-grown greats such as Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri, and currently, Rahul Dravid. He implied that India’s coaching approach, favoring national legends, could offer lessons for Pakistan’s own strategy.
Even in the breadth of his criticisms, Miandad’s love for the game and desire for his national team’s success were evident. As the cricket world looks forward to the World Cup 2023, his comments cast a spotlight not only on the choices of Pakistan’s cricket leadership but also on the wider debate about the empowerment and utilization of home-grown expertise in sports administration and coaching.
With such pointed criticisms coming from a cricketer of Miandad’s stature, it remains to be seen how the PCB will respond and whether any shifts in their current approach will emerge in light of his feedback. Followers of the game and spectators worldwide wait in anticipation to see if these developments will steer Pakistan Cricket in a new direction, as they continue to prepare for the challenges ahead, including the World Cup 2023. Fans are encouraged to stay updated on the latest developments by engaging with the sport on social media platforms or by using dedicated cricket apps for real-time news and schedules.