Pakistan suffered a humiliating ODI series defeat at the hands of Bangladesh and will try to save face by securing a win in the third and final match which will be played on Wednesday.
The performance of the team has been the subject of severe criticism by former players who have termed this as the ‘lowest point’ in the country’s cricketing history.
Even Parliamentarians have started weighing in with National Assembly Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah calling for an overhaul in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and demanding that a professional be appointed chairman. “People should be changed and professionals be brought in,” Shah said during the NA session on Wednesday.
MNA Sheikh Rohail Asghar was critical of Minister for Inter-Provincial Cricket Riaz Hussain Pirzada saying that he was a failure in his ministry and thus he could not say anything about cricket. Mr Asghar asked if people in the PCB had any experience of sport. “I just want to ask him (Pirzada) if the present PCB board has any experience with cricket…What was the record of the chief selector during his playing days?”
Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Riaz Hussain Pirzada informed the House that the performance of the team was reflective of the lack of infrastructure, facilities and absence of international cricket in Pakistan.
Mr Pirzada said steps were being taken to improve cricket and a new selection committee had been appointed by the PCB along with a new ODI captain. The minister added that the team was ranked third in T20, fourth in Test cricket and seventh in ODIs.
“Those asking these questions should consider that Bangladesh has a better structure. Bangladesh in the last two matches has played professionally while we have not played as a team,” Pirzada said.
Former Federal Minister Ijaz Jhakrani said people in the country loved cricket and it was unacceptable that the PCB was an independent institution. “The minister should call Shahryar Khan and hold him accountable for the World Cup.”
The criticism has been acknowledged by the team’s coach Waqar Younis who has accepted that there are problems. “I accept what the critics are saying. Pakistan cricket is facing problems,” Waqar said on Monday.
“We need to change the way we play cricket. We have been playing defensive cricket for too long; it will take time to get out of this (mindset),” Waqar added.