Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Former Pakistan all-rounder Rashid Khan has sarcastically advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to make senior selector Aaqib Javed the non-playing captain for all formats, taking a swipe at the former pacer’s increasing involvement in team affairs.
Rashid’s comments came after Aaqib defended the PCB’s decision to overhaul Pakistan’s Test squad midway through the England tour. Seven players were sent home following consecutive defeats, while head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed was replaced by white-ball coach Mike Hesson for the final Test.
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“Since Aaqib apparently knows more about Pakistan cricket I see no reason why he can’t be a non-playing captain,” Rashid said sarcastically on a podcast on hamariweb.com.
Aaqib had sought to justify the sweeping changes, arguing that the team’s performances had left the PCB with little choice. He also defended the decision to bring in fresh faces for a series that Pakistan had already lost.
PAKISTAN DESPERATE TO SALVAGE PRIDE IN BIRMINGHAM
Pakistan’s problems on the England tour have been compounded by two heavy defeats. England won the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before securing the series with a 194-run victory at Lord’s. Pakistan failed to post a total of 200 in any of their four completed innings across the first two Tests.
The second Test exposed the batting struggles again, with Pakistan bowled out for 110 in their first innings and 194 while chasing 389. Saud Shakeel’s 97 was their only major batting highlight, while Mohammad Abbas claimed five wickets for the visitors.
The third and final Test begins at Edgbaston in Birmingham on September 9, with England aiming for a 3-0 sweep. Pakistan, meanwhile, will be looking to salvage some pride after a chaotic fortnight that has seen seven players sent home and changes to the coaching staff.
Rashid, who played Test cricket for Pakistan and was part of their 1983 World Cup squad, was particularly critical of Aaqib’s role.
“He gives the impression he knows everything and now that he is openly even interfering in the working of the head coach and captain, just give him total control of the team,” he said.
Rashid also questioned whether Aaqib’s involvement should go even further.
“Aaqib is now criticising the team management and he has interfered in team affairs before also so why not just make him permanent non-playing captain like they have in tennis,” he wondered.
“At least then he wouldn’t be able to blame anyone for the poor performances.”
With a reshaped squad and new coaching setup, Pakistan now have one final opportunity in Birmingham to produce a response on the field and avoid ending an already turbulent England tour with a whitewash.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
