The Chairman of PCB, Mohsin Naqvi, expressed concerns about the lack of depth in the Pakistan cricket setup, stating that there are no players in the feeder system to replace underperforming team members. Following Pakistan’s first-ever Test defeat against Bangladesh, Naqvi announced mentors for the newly formed Champions Cup, believing that the talent produced from this tournament would be able to step up to the national team.
Naqvi highlighted the need for “major surgery” in the Pakistan squad after their disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, emphasizing the lack of a strong system to support such drastic measures. He mentioned the challenges faced by the selection committee in finding suitable replacements due to the absence of a reliable player pool. The Champions Cup was introduced to address these issues by providing better data and records for future selections.
Despite the existence of domestic records in Pakistan, Naqvi felt that the current selection process needed improvement. He emphasized the importance of the Champions Cup in strengthening domestic cricket and ensuring a pool of talented players for selection. Naqvi revealed that AI played a significant role in the selection of players for the tournament, with a focus on transparency and accountability in the selection process.
As Pakistan continues to struggle across formats, the focus has shifted to the performance of individual players. The neglected domestic structure has put pressure on the systems meant to nurture talent, with a lack of young players making their mark in top competitions. Naqvi stated that the Champions Cup would pave the way for immediate replacements based on performance, without relying on personal preferences.
Looking ahead, the challenge lies in integrating players from the Champions Cup into the national team across different formats. Naqvi clarified that decisions like not playing a spinner in the first Test were made by the team management, not the selectors. He defended the selection committee against criticisms related to team strategies, emphasizing the autonomy of the captain and coach in such decisions.
The upcoming second Test against Bangladesh presents a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to bounce back and avoid a series defeat. Naqvi’s focus remains on building a stronger player pool through initiatives like the Champions Cup, with the goal of improving the performance and competitiveness of the national team.
