‘Merit being ignored in team selection’
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LAHORE: Despite the Pakistan team management unhappy with fitness levels of several players, most of them are getting regularly selected in the One-day International and Twenty20 teams thanks to support in the power corridors, well-informed sources told Dawn on Wednesday.
The players aren’t maintaining their fitness levels while they’re also not following the instructions of fielding coach-cum-trainer Grant Luden.
“Some players namely Anwar Ali, Umar Akmal and Sarfraz Ahmad are also gaining weight,” the sources said.
They added that the case of opener Ahmed Shehzad, once tipped as the next T20 captain during Najam Sethi’s tenure as PCB chairman, is worsening.
“It’s becoming very difficult for the team management to handle him,” the sources added.
It has also emerged that head coach Waqar Younis wasn’t happy with the selectors’ insistence to include Younis Khan for the recent ODI series against England as it resulted in Asad Shafiq being ignored.
Chief selector Haroon Rasheed flew to the UAE to convince Waqar to include Younis for the series.
Pakistan lost the ODI series 1-3 with Younis announcing his retirement from the limited-overs format after the first match.
According to the central contract, Younis had no right to announce the retirement during the series but instead of taking any action against him PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan elevated the middle-order batsman to be his advisor alongside Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
Limited-overs decline
The loss to England meant Pakistan slipped to eighth in the ICC ODI rankings.
The decline in the ODI rankings showed when no Pakistan player was included in ICC’s ODI Team of the Year which was announced on Wednesday.
Pakistan has been struggling in the ODI format for the last year and half, exiting this year’s World Cup in the quarter-finals stage.
However, there has been no reaction to the dip in form with nobody willing to shoulder the responsibility for the team’s losses.
The ODI series defeat followed a 3-0 whitewash in the T20 series, raising several question marks over the team’s make-up ahead of next years’ ICC World Twenty20.
Sources, meanwhile, attributed the T20 series loss to captain Shahid Afridi supporting the selection of players he prefers.
And while the players he’s supporting haven’t performed consistently, neither the selectors nor Afridi are willing to drop them from the upcoming assignments.
“If the same attitude continues, it won’t be possible for Pakistan to field a strong team at the next year’s ICC World T20 duly on merit,” sources said.
“Every stakeholder in Pakistan cricket — the team management, selection committee and captain — has their blue-eyed boys and they’ve used their influence to keep them in the team, ruining the structure of selection on merit.”
Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2015
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Comments (66) Closed
Dec 03, 2015 01:14pm
Umer Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Hafeez & Ahmed Shahzad doesn't deserve place in T20 format.
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Dec 03, 2015 01:28pm
NO MERIT, NO MERIT RESULT IS ZERO ??????
Pakistan has been struggling in the ODI format for the last year and half, exiting this year’s World Cup in the quarter-finals stage. The reason is wrong choice of ODI captain Azhar, he have no place in team 2013 suddenly become captain on PIRCHI. No merit.
T20 Afridi enforced his will by selecting used players of his group he is BABA of that group, than dropping talent world class, ICC team member Sarfarz Ahmad.
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Dec 03, 2015 01:42pm
Either do diplomacy while playing cricket with other nations or win matches. Nothing wrong with the team. This team has potential to win T20 world cup. Give them more matches.
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Dec 03, 2015 01:47pm
Waqar needs to go ASAP! He has a massive ego which is going to ruin Pakistan cricket! and bring back Amir!
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Dec 03, 2015 01:50pm
A first round exit in T20 WC 2016 ....SADQY AFRIDI KI.......Just retired after that please.
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Dec 03, 2015 02:00pm
I think there is nothing wrong with the current team! Afridi is the right person to lead and he has been leading with example. I dont understand, why do such news make headlines only when the team loses. This was the very same team that performed exceptionally well in SL. The only player missing from the side is Imad Wasim which dented Pakistan's hopes against ENG. Eng Played well and were worthy winners, we just need to apply ourselves in a better way. One thing that is missing in my opinion is a strike bowler... which I see in Mohammad Amir!!!
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Dec 03, 2015 02:00pm
Clearly teamwork is lacking in Pakistan team, that's why they loose where they could win and England because of their excellent teamwork kept Pak team on their toes and manage to win a lost match
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Dec 03, 2015 02:03pm
Total desaster...from A to Z...The players, the Team, Coach, Manager the PCB...they all need a boot...
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Dec 03, 2015 02:13pm
Make umar akmal captain and see the result...team will be full of aggression and talent...
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Dec 03, 2015 02:43pm
A recent slip in ICC ODI rankings ? They are lucky to be included for the tournament. Just now they have improved on previous rankings. They were in a danger to be kicked out of the ICC champions trophy.
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Dec 03, 2015 03:04pm
@anwar
You must know a lot about cricket
Please tell us
We must be missing something
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Dec 03, 2015 03:05pm
Merit ? And that only counts Punjab and KPK ?
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Dec 03, 2015 03:19pm
@Saeed Masood Quite agree with you sir , But who will give them the boot ? , The whole saga is run Not on any rules or constitution But on the Personal Whim of Patron In Chief and this guy is always in the survival mode what ever he has his hands on (serve his own interests cum his cronies 1st and foremost ) .Look at what he has done to Governess bit of the country ? The Cricket as a Game/Team/PCB is a sort of smaller mirror of the Governess/Nation/Country. Nothing good will come out of this Guy Called The Patron Chief of Pakistan Cricket and The Prime Minister of Country Pakistan
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Dec 03, 2015 03:26pm
Is that why Umar Akmal is in the team? Because I can't remember the last time he performed or helped Pakistan to victory ... yet he stays.
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Dec 03, 2015 03:28pm
@sammy Why PCB carrying this bag on their back?
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Dec 03, 2015 03:32pm
Shame on people in decision making role who ignore national interests over their favorites. If this trend is not stopped, cricket will meet the same fate like hockey
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Dec 03, 2015 03:35pm
@anwar i like ur innocence
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Dec 03, 2015 03:42pm
As long as senior players like Hafeez, Afridi and parchi players like Shahzad, Sohail Tanver and Anwar Ali are in the team, this Pakistan team can not even beat a club level cricket side.
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Dec 03, 2015 03:53pm
Let's hope something positive comes out of this debacle. We must introduce system where players are selected on merit other wise it will be a futile exercise we will always finish last...
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Dec 03, 2015 04:00pm
bcoz the players know..whether they gain weight or dont perform they will be selected in next series..they not afraid of performing below par..they should allow layers who are willing to play consistently n with heart...not these captain likes..this not how national team chosen..look at australian..how they choose a team
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Dec 03, 2015 04:02pm
One run cost 80,000 taka, that's the headline in Bangladesh. What you guys expect from Umer Akmal when he lead the Pakistan team. I think time has come to say good bye all those who perform under par or failure to keep up their fitness level. Let open the door for fresh blood no matter how many matches they lose but least they fight till the end.
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Dec 03, 2015 04:31pm
Afridi needs Shazad & some others of his loyal in the team regardless what happen.
With Afridi running Pakistani team has no future.
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Dec 03, 2015 04:45pm
Rather unusual for Pakistani media to report specifics in diagnosing Pakistan's cricket problems. My attempts in the past to do so have been totally ignored! Even a blind person can see that not only Sarfraz and U.Akmal have ballooned in weight, but also Azhar Ali - and this excess weight has affected their performance. Shehzad reflects a young man with problems of anger and inflated ego management - this was clear in the incident with Dilshan. Afridi is cast in a similar mold, but manages to keep it in check - but his idiosyncrasies are evident in the repeated selection of players that do not belong on an international cricket field. And desperate attempts to malign YK over the defeats of the one day team are simply tepid attempts to deflect any serious analysis of the continuing slide of the fortunes of our cricket team. YK and MH deserve the highest honors - for the two together have molded a test squad that reflects some of our brightest cricketing moments!
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Dec 03, 2015 04:53pm
@Jaffy I feel first thing PCB should do is kick all the coaches, coaches are need at the lower level of game not national team, ones the players 100% perfect with all technic he comes to top level.,
Waqar & Mushtaq are best coach the under 19 teams or department teams.
T20 only Sarfarz & Rizwan are suitable rest all are burden. need to change the whole team before WC, Make Sarfaraz Captain with new blood.
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Dec 03, 2015 05:14pm
When you keep bringing old out of touch and garbage players like Shoaib Malik and Sohail Tanvir, what do you expect ?.
Amy fool cam tell you the main reasons of our decline in shorter version of the game, we don't need person like Waqar Younis and Shaheryaar Khan to tell us this.
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Dec 03, 2015 05:16pm
@i
Are you out of your mind or what ?
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Dec 03, 2015 05:17pm
@anwar
Yeh, and be in the bottom of the tank too. Wake Up....you are talking abt Umar Akmal !!!!!
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Dec 03, 2015 05:49pm
Afridi is the make or break of the team. Sadly.
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Dec 03, 2015 06:10pm
@anwar You become a leader by performing - dont play this stupid card of making someone captain while he does not even deserve a spot in team.
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Dec 03, 2015 06:15pm
I think we are too harsh. All matches(T20`s) went down the wire especially 2nd and third. Lost by a bleak margin. We chased in each match which has never been our strength but still fought hard. Besides Imad Wasim was missing. Don`t forget Sohail Tanvir`s 4 drop catches and comical run outs. Otherwise, It was a brave effort. Despite all unforced errors we did well.
Bring back Amir and Imad. Get rid of umar, sohaib, tanvir and shehzad.
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Dec 03, 2015 06:58pm
Just replace 4 players with Amir,Imaad Wasim,Babar Azaam,Harish Sohail.
Rest assure d that result will be different.There won't be any need of luck.
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Dec 03, 2015 06:58pm
Pakistan cricket will only have to suffer till March. This is when Afridi retires and things will return to normal.
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Dec 03, 2015 07:06pm
Sohail is the most confused player in the team. We lost 2 T20 because of his bowling and fielding.
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Dec 03, 2015 07:12pm
Thanx to zimbabwe for coming to pakistan and losing the matches thus helping us to qualify for the champions trophy.
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Dec 03, 2015 07:26pm
@fahd Imaad Wasim,Amir,Babar Azam,Harish Sohail should be in inplace of Umar Akmal ,Hafeez and 2 others.Pakistan could not have win without Imaad Wasim heroics of hitting last over six against Sri Lanka or scoring 61 not out in ODI.Those guys are too valuable and I am sure he would do great with Amir because both are match winners.That is why other's are scared of two.
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Dec 03, 2015 07:35pm
Seems like PCB needs a "coup" to remove these corrupt leaders. The team also needs a captain like IK that puts people in their place, doesn't take bull from anyone and calls a spade a spade. The country club needs to end. Tax dollars are spent to see a fair and competitive team not a bunch people acting causal like its their own toy.
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Dec 03, 2015 07:36pm
Ahmed Shehzad is our pride, our talent. Look at his record on Cricinfo before you reply to my comment. He is being bullied into a corner I reckon, because he challenges status quo, he has an opinion, he like to strategize. If he is not getting match fit, who is to blame ? Why do you keep dropping him and when he is dropped, he does not get any practise of international calibre, how is he to develop ? This applies to all international players, they don't need to go back to School styled NCA, they need pro cricket at international level to gain match fitness. Please give these guys a break. Here is some food for thought.. Please tell me how many administrators were there in PCB when we won 1992 world cup ? How many coaches did that team have ?
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Dec 03, 2015 07:48pm
Shehzad should be used carefully as to me he is much much better than kohli ...if used properly he can show his charisma
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Dec 03, 2015 07:57pm
what is merit ?
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Dec 03, 2015 07:59pm
@anwar your recommendation to replace Afridi with U Akmal as captain would be like going from the frying pan into the fire
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Dec 03, 2015 08:02pm
Coaching and Management are just buzz words in the Pakistan camp, neither exist in reality and practicality!
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Dec 03, 2015 08:27pm
Can somebody please tell me when Pakistani teams have ever been picked on merit...sack the lot of them..
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Dec 03, 2015 08:39pm
The greatest thing Afridi can do for Pakistan Cricket is to just retire.
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Dec 03, 2015 09:08pm
Asad Shafiq has been awful and performed very poorly in ODI. Fawad Alam is the one that needs selection
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Dec 03, 2015 09:09pm
Pakistan should select three teams for the three formats of the game and only skilled professionals may be considered for selection in two formats. Hafeez, Sarfaraz and Wahab Riaz should be asked to select two formats of the game they prefer. From the rest only Shoaib Malik and Yasir Shah are good enough to be considered for two formats of the game.
My T-20 WC team would include 1. Afridi 2. Shoaib Malik 3. M. Rizwan 4. Ahmad Shahzad 4. Anwar Ali 5. Sohail Tanvir 6. M. Irfan 7. Saeed Ajmal 8. Imad Wasim 9. Mukhtar Ahmad 10. Umar Akmal 11. Kamran Akmal 12. Abdul Razzak 13. Umar Gul 14. Bilawal Bhatti 15. Sohaib Maqsood
The selectors should note the public opinion.
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Dec 03, 2015 09:17pm
Unfortunately, Pakistan cricket team is being managed in the same manner as Pakistan itself, each party pursuing its own interest.
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Dec 03, 2015 09:19pm
head coach to be out at the earliest so as to avoid big risk for Pakistan's cricket name and future.
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Dec 04, 2015 12:02am
Favoritism has always been the norm of Pakistan cricket and it will become last nail in coffin of Pakistan cricket If things are going as they are right now. Collectively , It is not their fault for not playing good enough , for becoming victim of their ego , for preference of "Blue eyed boys" . It is our fault as a society when we promote one man dominance in every walk of our life instead of working together taking advantage of each other's strength in order to move forward . We need to promote transparency , not just in cricket but in all of our organisation . Win or loss is part of game as well as it is a part everyone's life. So we need to cool our nerves and decide our goal . Pakistan cricket Board's goal should not be gaining world cup because at the end of the day, It's nothing but a show piece . PCB's goal should be unifying this team to work as one body one soul , to put their heart and mind into their effort in order succeed. P.C.B must reorganize itself.
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Dec 04, 2015 12:14am
Where is Rana Naveed ul Hassan...we want him back.
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Dec 04, 2015 12:27am
Someone like Imran Khan is needed who can select team purely based on talent and performance.
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Dec 04, 2015 12:28am
We have lots of cricket experts on this forum, a rare blessing for our country.
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Dec 04, 2015 04:15am
Kick Azhar out of odi and afridi out of t20 sides respectively. Sarfaraz should lead both formats
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Dec 04, 2015 09:04am
All are corrupt, sorry but thats true.
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Dec 04, 2015 09:10am
This is problem Pakistan is beset since last 30 years, that in every defeat such issues are raised.
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Dec 04, 2015 09:48am
The gap in b/w domestic circuit and international level was clear with rafatullah on display. Having the coach with history filled in bowling yorkers; yet no bowler bowled a single yorker in death overs is something to be asked for.
T20s are all about timely decision there is no point if Afridi is in good form yet he cannot come up in the order. Running b/w wickets was all at sea with hafeez in the middle. Overall team looked disturbed, worried, feared of losing and getting dropped from national side.
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Dec 04, 2015 11:13am
Thanks to Waqar Younis. Why is he still around as the head coach.
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Dec 04, 2015 11:22am
My Pak T20 team
Hafeez,Ahmed,Sarfaraz,Shoeb,Umar Akmal,Rizwan,Afridi,Imad Wasim,Anwar,Sohail,Wahab/Umar Gul....
ODI Team
Hafeez,Ahmed.Azhar,Shoeb,Umar Akmal,Rizwan,Anwar Ali,Sohail,Wahab,Babar Azam,Imad Wasim
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Dec 04, 2015 12:23pm
Waqar losing sleep over non inclusion of the worst ODI player of the decade Asad Shafiq!!!! Now this sums up the whole state of affairs in the Pakistani cricket.
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Dec 04, 2015 12:49pm
One thing is clear that Shahid Afridi had important role in selecting few hopeless players. Afridi is still good at bat and ball, he should be part of ODI and Twenty/20 but not a captain.
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Dec 04, 2015 03:41pm
@Salih correct.
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Dec 04, 2015 03:54pm
@anwar n probably will loose all the games ..
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Dec 04, 2015 04:43pm
I have been following cricket since last 30 years and most of the time I hear about selection errors,favoritism and wrong choices. This keeps on increasing. The cricketing knowledge of Pakistanis is amazingly great and every one has an opinion which is good. I think its time to bring about some changes in the selection methodologies of the team.We may have to be more innovative, use technology and also involve the followers of the game in deciding on the team composition. it should not be just in the hands of few people. Any thoughts!
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Dec 04, 2015 08:32pm
@yousafkhandlp : Give me a break here, Mr. Rana lover look forward and we have far better players than Rana Naveed. You are dumb as a stick if you think Rana would be any effective at this stage......
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Dec 04, 2015 08:35pm
@Sherry He is still better than Ahmad Shehzad on any given day. He has better average than Ahmed and with a lot less attitude for sure. I will pick him over Hafeez, and Ahmed on any giving day since he knows at least how to run between wickets
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Dec 04, 2015 08:37pm
@itrat khaliq : You are talking about Leadership here, most of comments are spot on since this is how any organization can be build and prosper. But you are talking about PCB which is one of the most corrupt cricketing body where such things are considered nonsense and absurd since we believe in individuality not collaboration.
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Dec 04, 2015 11:00pm
I don't agree with the Author, Everything is on Merit here in Pakistan Cricket. Shahid Afridi is the best asset for Pakistan to win the T20 World cup. Pakistan Cricket Board Needs to protect him for another 5 more years as a servant of Pakistani Cricket. He will win us the T20
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