Important decisions on team management, selectors in a few weeks: PCB chief
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LAHORE: Ehsan Mani on Wednesday said his innings as Pakistan Cricket Board chairman actually starts now as a number of significant decisions will be taken within a few weeks time in the backdrop of national team’s below-par performance in the ICC World Cup.
“My innings as PCB chairman, in real terms, is going to start now as [some] important decisions regarding new team management, national selection committee and others are set to be taken within a few weeks time,” Mani said while talking exclusively to Dawn on Wednesday.
“I did not make any change in the team management and also retained Sarfraz Ahmed as captain because the World Cup was just a few months away when I took charge as PCB chairman,” he added.
When asked how much time he would take to complete changes in the cricket set-up, Mani said he was not in a hurry citing the decisions to be taken were of important nature.
“All the decisions will be taken while keeping in view Pakistan team’s activities during the next four years. We will go through a proper process before making any changes,” the PCB chief maintained.
Pakistan had a poor finish to their World Cup campaign in England where Sarfraz and his men failed to qualify for the semi-finals as New Zealand, having equal number of points (11 each) in league stage, upstaged the green-shirts on net run-rate. On Wednesday, New Zealand beat India by 18 runs in a close semi-final at Manchester.
To a question, Mani said his recent meeting with head coach Mickey Arthur in London was a routine interaction.
Asked if Arthur offered to extend his services as Pakistan head coach, Mani responded in affirmative but added that any decision in this regard would be made later. “Yes, Arthur showed his interest [to carry on his job] but I can’t say any word on this subject unless the PCB cricket committee, which is going to start assessing the performance of the team management and others in a few days, completes its report.”
While revealing that Sarfraz was also interested in captaincy, Mani said he would not say anything further on it. “It will be unfair to comment on it before the completion of the cricket committee’s recommendations,” he said.
Asked whether the PCB would have limited options in appointing the next captain if the cricket committee recommendations went against Sarfraz, Mani again avoided commenting on it.
To a question on Pakistan’s show in the World Cup, Mani said though there were a number of ifs and buts the cricket committee was the right forum to analyse it technically.
Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2019
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Comments (54) Closed
Jul 11, 2019 10:21am
why few weeks? it took BD only days to fire their under-performing coaches and PCB should be able to do the same without taking weeks to do it. It is not exactly rocket science. ask any cricket supporter on the street and they will be able to tell PCB what needs to be done.
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Jul 11, 2019 10:25am
The team will be awarded cash by the WC management for being at #5 and punished by PCB for the same reason. They played well despite an incompetent board.
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Jul 11, 2019 10:29am
I think PCB should do drastic changes, immediately change coaches, chief selector and manager.
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Jul 11, 2019 10:31am
There is no need to change the captain and the coach. Pakistan did very well in this worldcup. Pakistan didn't qualify because of one bad match against WI. It wasn't their day, look what happened to India. 5-3? Shall they axe K.Raul or Kholi?
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Jul 11, 2019 10:33am
I think there is no need to change the team and its management.
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Jul 11, 2019 10:38am
When you cannot give answers to any questions then why talk at all in the first place.
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Jul 11, 2019 10:48am
Change for sake of change is never a good thing and mostly also unfair. Sethi was doing a good job but PM had to change him not on merit or performance grounds though. Current chairman perhaps resign himself to set an example.
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Jul 11, 2019 10:50am
It is a fact that there are groups in the team and everyone is aware of it.How is it possible that the Chief Selector,s nephew is in the playing team and the Mammo is there. Who supported Shoiab and Hafeez.Why was Fakhr in team.Sarfraz will speak his mind in few days,let the dust settle.
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Jul 11, 2019 10:59am
Cricket is the most important aspect of our lives. We only live for it all the time. Hence the time and space donated to the same all the while.
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Jul 11, 2019 11:18am
Get rid of government appointed, foreign officials from the board.
Make it impartial please.
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Jul 11, 2019 11:18am
Babar Azam deserves captaincy.
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Jul 11, 2019 11:30am
Inzi, mickey, sarfaraz, imam, fakhar and hasan ali should leave. Period.
Babar for captain. Abid as opener. Rizwan as wicket keeper.
For Gods sake, call in Fawad now before his retirement comes.
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Jul 11, 2019 11:31am
Both Micky and Sarfaraz is doing well but there was big fault in selection from the beginning. Amir Asif and then Wahab, selectors had no clue. So whole selection body needs to be changed.
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Jul 11, 2019 11:35am
It’s simple get rid of Inzimam and the management along with parachi Imam, Hafeez, Malik. Sarfraz, Hassan.
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Jul 11, 2019 11:39am
Good that Mr Mani refrained from making any sweeping statements.. ppl need to understand they allowed the status quo to continue in order to not disrupt the WC campaign..
I’d like to see Inzi and his selection team replaced, whilst technically he could coach batting but in no way is he a strategic thinker or planner to retain his job, that was evident from the poor selections made..
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Jul 11, 2019 11:41am
Sarfaraz should be retained as a Captain and be made authoritative especially when the team is on any given tour of playing at home.
Selectors and the related staff should spend those days with their families rather than being on tour with the team.
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Jul 11, 2019 11:42am
Remove nepotism spreader Inzamam.
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Jul 11, 2019 11:51am
not a few weeks take a few months but take right decisions.
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Jul 11, 2019 11:53am
Keep Team coach Pakistan won ICC champions two years ago under the same coach. Learn from mistakes, decision & move forward. Re-build team sprint & confidence. Team captain needs to change & changed.
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Jul 11, 2019 12:01pm
I Think Coach, Manger and Captain should be replaced. Micky slight interview gives me the impression that he is not the man for the job as he seems to be making effort in keeping the job. Similarly Captain miserably failed and yesterday NZ win was a SLAP in Sarfaz face and his decision to bat second against India and defending it. And for Inzimam well he has very disappointing past as cricketer and for coach he is totally unfit.
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Jul 11, 2019 12:13pm
Only one change is required, bring Najam Sethi back.
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Jul 11, 2019 12:22pm
Arthur should be retained. He’s working hard to change the team culture. The selectors need to go. Sarfraz is no more than a competent keeper. His batting is below par. Rizwan should be the next keeper. Hafeez should retire. Other than that the team should be retained with a couple of new faces.
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Jul 11, 2019 12:27pm
Sarfraz should not be in the team because of his below par performance and uninspiring captaincy. Hafeez should be shown the door if he is reluctant to leave himself. Fakhar zaman has pathetic batting technique, he must be sent bacj to the academies. Wahab can be a good interim captain because of his aggressiveness. Build a team around the youngsters and inspire them to achieve greatness. We've seen enough of these tried and tested (but always failed) so called seniors.
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Jul 11, 2019 12:46pm
Ehsan Mani should resign. IK himself gave statement several times that PM should not be appointing the PCB Chief. This is the time to fulfill commitment.
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Jul 11, 2019 12:56pm
Mickey Arthur should be retained. We need a strong take no prisoners, no non-sense coach. All players should be made to respect each other and behave like a team. We need a captain that leads from the front.
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Jul 11, 2019 01:32pm
As long as they get rid of selector inzamam I am happy, it’s like watching fazal rehman lead a team, no passion.
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Jul 11, 2019 01:35pm
The mentioned report should be made public in entirety and should hold accountable each member of the team.
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Jul 11, 2019 01:46pm
@Umair, Stop comparing with your neighbours always...you be at a different level...
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Jul 11, 2019 01:51pm
Who influenced Inzmam to select Shoaib Malik. I would love to know.
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Jul 11, 2019 01:51pm
During najam sethi days we were winning and then came the parchiof ehsan mani and whats happening now we are seeing it .merit is a thing of past in pcb
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Jul 11, 2019 01:54pm
The best thing to happen to Pakistan cricket would be less interference from the Board.
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Jul 11, 2019 02:17pm
Imported PCB chairman hiding behind cricket committee which is also being headed by another imported parchee Wasim Khan. Situation is getting worse in Pakistan and its politics.
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Jul 11, 2019 02:54pm
Inzamam Ul Haq is the main reason behind the initial disaster in the world cup. Right from the Australian series in UAE Inzamam systematically sabotaged the team. Completely supported by conspirator's group Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Imam Ul Haq, Hassan Ali and company. Pakistan team will go a long way under the honest and humble leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed but we need to get rid of these characters from the team and management.
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Jul 11, 2019 02:57pm
Bring back Najam Sethi, he has done an awesome job
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Jul 11, 2019 03:01pm
The important decisions regarding new team management should start with PCB Chief's resignation.
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Jul 11, 2019 03:25pm
Sarfraz is good Captain. He took 9th ranked ODI team to WC and won 5 of their 8 matches (1 rain washed). That is 62.5 % win result. 4 of those 5 matches Pak won was after losing to India, followed by good doze by Sarfraz to team. After losing to WI, Pak won against 5 teams (4 higher ranked than Pak in ODI - they are England, NZ, SA and BD + Afg) - and lost only against 2 top teams India and Australia. So yes, with team full of Parchi players, performance was not bad, could have been better.
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Jul 11, 2019 04:11pm
how come there is no mention of the role (or lack of it) of Talaat Ali? series after series, all he does is sit on the balcony like a statue with dark glasses on. did he have nothing to do with the team’s management?
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Jul 11, 2019 04:34pm
Just changing captain or coach or dropping few players would produce the same result...PCB needs to setting up cricket academy in big cities.....work from grass root level instead of starting from the top......
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Jul 11, 2019 04:49pm
We Indians are sad but not sadist. So, in my view, Pakistan performed unparalleled in second half of league matches of the tournament. Pakistan should be proud for Shaheen, Aamir, Babar & Harris. Sarfaraz is competent but another captain may be tested. Wahab & Shoaib have played their innings. All the best!
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Jul 11, 2019 05:28pm
Though pretty disappointed, I can't say the team needs an overhaul. Most players played well as the tournament went on, but the following in my opinion need to be let go. Shoaib Malik, Hafeez, Asif Ali and Sarfrax's role as an emotional skipper should be evaluated.
More importantly Inzimam should be removed as a selector
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Jul 11, 2019 05:32pm
The PCB Chaairman should be focused on having the proper cricket committee. The committee should chose the selectors and coach and let them work on the captain selection as well as other aspects. The new selection committee should identify the nucleus of the team for next WC and then start the preparations for finding the remaining players.
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Jul 11, 2019 06:31pm
poor campaign is a little harsh given the team made a good comeback in the last 4 games. Beat three top 5 teams, almost made in the semis only to be let down by our runrate. COnsidering pak as No6 and coming on the back 11 straight defeats.. 5th position tied in with 4th isnt too bad
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Jul 11, 2019 06:33pm
Chairman must removed immediately as he came this post via safrash of IK. Need transperancy in cricket control board.
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Jul 11, 2019 07:00pm
Performance and fitness should be the key for players and any player involved in any kind of politics or grouping should not even get central contract. It's time to bring fresh selection committee and coaching start and start fresh.
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Jul 11, 2019 07:10pm
The most important decision is to get "YOU" out of PCB.
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Jul 11, 2019 07:43pm
How will any captain do anything if not given powers to bench players? That is how and why IK operated successfully and was able to win games and a WC.
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Jul 11, 2019 07:54pm
We have seen hiring and firing after each major event. Nothing changed ever. The problem with Pakistani team is not with talent, selection and performance. The problem is with their behaviour, lack of sportsmanship, behavior, psychological. All PCB needs is a full time Psychologist as well as a soft skills trainer who pumps up the motivation and match winning spirit in each player.
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Jul 11, 2019 08:41pm
It is important for Pakistan to have other sports, perhaps one that is actually athletic. It’s boring to spend our lives tied to a sport when if your team is not the best. A solitary win or even a draw in football will have more meaning then figuring out the ideal batting combination
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Jul 11, 2019 10:29pm
I do not know why you people are always ready to chop and change, have patience people, stability and continuity helps in building better teams...stay away from knee jerk reactions.
There is nothing wrong with the coach or the team, the only thing that needs desperately urgent attention is fielding, otherwise you played a good tournament had one bad game that kept you out of the semis.
My Pakistani friends do not be so quick to judgment.
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Jul 11, 2019 11:00pm
Sarfaraz and inzamam must out of the cricket team and team selection.both are failed.
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Jul 12, 2019 02:53am
A careful examination of the whole championship should easily clarify the facts. Overall Pakistan's performance was remarkable. sometimes luck and misfortune also play a role in overall results. Consider this, the two teams qualified for the finals, that is New Zealand and England were both clearly beaten by the Pakistan team. This very fact shows that the Pakistan team was easily one of the most outstanding teams.
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Jul 12, 2019 05:49am
Please fix the domestic structure and everything will take care of itself. In still young blood from under 19 structure and monitor their development
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Jul 12, 2019 12:30pm
India lost to NZ, and we are Happy, why need any change now.
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Jul 12, 2019 01:53pm
I blame Inzimam, Arthur and Sarfaraz and weak Management by PCB Head Ehsan Mani. Inzimam in order to safeguard his Nephew's place in the team did not bother to take another Opening batsman even though batting condition in England are often challenging. Consequently, with Fakhar failing there was no back up Opener. The team should have listened to Imran Khan and taken more Specialist Bowlers and Batsmen. Sarfaraz had a poor World Cup and it's clear he is not worth his place in the team.
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