The Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to overhaul the national team in the middle of its England tour continues to face scrutiny, with former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed admitting that the uncertainty surrounding coaching positions has made him wary of taking up a role with the national side.A week after the PCB sent seven players and two coaches back to Pakistan, the fallout from the decision remains a major talking point. The board has frequently faced criticism for making repeated changes to its coaches and captains, and Mushtaq believes that the lack of stability is now becoming a deterrent for former players who want to serve Pakistan in coaching roles.The PCB took the drastic step after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the opening two Tests against England. Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha were among the players sent home, while Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were also removed from the coaching setup. They were replaced in the dressing room by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke.
Mushtaq reveals why he is hesitant
Mushtaq was asked whether he would be interested in coaching Pakistan and made it clear that he would welcome the chance to work with the national team. However, he also explained why the current environment leaves him concerned about accepting such a responsibility.The former spinner pointed to the treatment of coaches and the possibility of being removed abruptly, even while a tour is still in progress.“I would love to do that for my country, of course. Especially at this time. Obviously, I need only one thing. Sometimes you get scared of working for your own country when the people don’t respect you, and they sack you because of a few emotional decisions here and there. When you see those things, people getting sacked on a tour, you get worried and scared,” Mushtaq said on the BBC Stumped Podcast.Despite his concerns, Mushtaq believes there is an opportunity for Pakistani coaches to make a meaningful contribution if greater stability can be established within the system.“I think those are the things that if you can get that sorted, I think every Pakistani cricketer who is coaching, not only myself, they’d love to serve the country. This is the best time for me to take that challenge and bring those players to their best, make them confident about international cricket and make a unit that can actually challenge opposition teams,” he added.
‘This is not the right thing’
Mushtaq also strongly disagreed with the PCB’s decision to make such sweeping changes while the England series was still underway.The former Pakistan international, who played 52 Tests and 144 ODIs, questioned the rationale behind sending seven players home and altering the coaching staff midway through an overseas tour.“Changing seven players and the management, especially with the tour still going on, I feel that this is not the right thing,” Mushtaq said.He was particularly critical of the timing of the decision involving Sarfaraz and Umar Gul, arguing that changes of this magnitude should have been considered after the completion of the tour.“This has never happened in Pakistan cricket before. Obviously, I’m hurt as an ex-cricketer, as a Pakistani, these things should not happen. Sarfaraz and Umar Gul, they are some of the most experienced cricketers. They serve the country very well. Sarfaraz was a captain also. If you want to sack them, obviously, you have to sack them after the tour. This is the time to stay calm, don’t make rash decisions,” he added.
PCB under growing scrutiny
The mid-tour shake-up has attracted criticism beyond Pakistan, with Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain and Jason Gillespie among those who have questioned the PCB’s decision.The board’s changes came after Pakistan’s disappointing results in the first two Tests, leaving the team facing the prospect of a difficult end to the tour.Pakistan will now look to finish the series on a positive note when they face England in the third and final Test, beginning on September 9 in Birmingham. However, with questions over the board’s approach to coaches, players and decision-making continuing to mount, the debate surrounding Pakistan cricket is unlikely to end with the conclusion of the Test series.
