LAHORE, Dec 11: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has twice by-passed its ad hoc committee and its own policy, in recent days by appointing Test leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed and Mrs Bending Compton as bowling consultant and physiotherapist of Pakistan men and women teams.

The chairman made the appointment of Mushtaq, despite the fact that the proposal had been rejected by the committee when presented earlier.

To compensate Mushtaq, who remained in wilderness for almost two years, the bowler was included in the Test squad against England, with claims he could be a trump card for Pakistan, but he was not selected for any of the three Test matches, the home team winning series 2-0.

As Mushtaq was the member of the 16-member Test squad, he got all benefits to enjoy the tour and now when he has no chance for ongoing ODIs he was obliged by giving an assignment.

Earlier, chairman Shaharyar M. Khan had appointed Bending Compton as the physiotherapist of national women’s cricket team, preparing for the first Asia Cup to be held in Karachi from the last week of December.

The chairman had issued the letter to Mrs Compton, a day before going to India on Dec 2, without consulting the ad hoc committee.

Mrs Compton is the wife of Grant, the physio of the Pakistan team.

In both cases, the PCB also violated its own policy of not advertising the vacancies, before filling all posts.

This reporter could not get a reply from the official concerned to the question whether the PCB had advertised the post in newspapers.

Opinion

Editorial

GSP-Plus renewal
Updated 18 Jul, 2026

GSP-Plus renewal

THERE is no glossing over the fact that the country’s leadership faces tough choices in the months ahead. Brussels...
AJK engagement
18 Jul, 2026

AJK engagement

A WELCOME lowering of political temperatures appears to be underway in Azad Kashmir, as the region’s...
Delayed relief
18 Jul, 2026

Delayed relief

THE decision to defer the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage’s first funding approvals is a setback for...
Barren reforms
17 Jul, 2026

Barren reforms

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s assertion that agriculture and livestock hold the key to Pakistan’s quick...
Dumbing down?
17 Jul, 2026

Dumbing down?

THE awesome power of generative AI has raised concerns in academic and scientific circles about the impact the...
Eyeing the Margallas
17 Jul, 2026

Eyeing the Margallas

AS Pakistan battles a variety of climate crises, state institutions must do all possible to defend critical...