The Pakistan Cricket Board, PCB is expected to change significantly and institute a code of conduct for the players after their disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup in the USA.
Their early exit from the tournament has been criticized by many including their families as players are accused of paying their kids’ school fees while holidaying abroad during this event.
According to a reliable PCB source, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is furious with some senior officials for not being able to keep players disciplined within the team.
PCB could deal harshly with these matters and make sure that they win on field as well as carry themselves professionally through forthcoming games.
As far as future events are concerned, you may expect this result in the resignation of high-ranking staff from the PCB and strict policies for players.”
PCB will make an announcement over its ICC-related family policy at large events. The move forms part of plans by the board to streamline its operations and create a professional atmosphere.
“The fact that so many players not only took their wives and children to the World Cup even had their parents, brothers etc staying in the team hotel has left the chairman unhappy,” said an insider.
Some top officials on board agreed that players should come along with all members of their families during this trip
“There were some administrators who were fans rather than professionals and they did give them too many indulgences which eventually led us to what happened at World Cup,” he said.
The proposal was made by PCB Chairman Mohammed Yousuf because he was unhappy with how much progress had been made in preparing for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan since taking up office two years ago.
Reports indicate paid appearances by cricketers
A news piece published in ‘Jang’ newspaper revealed that certain Pakistani cricket team members accepted appearance monies starting $2500 per head when attending a meet-and-greet event held in Dallas.
Another meeting titled ‘A Night with Stars’ however was canceled due to disparities in the amounts that were paid to the captain, Babar Azam and his teammates.
These revelations are expected to be dissected in the forthcoming review of Pakistan’s exit from the tournament following defeats against USA and India.
However, since December 2022, when PCB had four chairs for its board, none of these has bee changed or terminated any of these senior management officials.
“It is now becoming clear that if the players are today an indisciplined and careless lot, it is because some of the senior management officials have spoiled them rotten since last year including finalization of their central contracts,” said a source close to the board.
Rumours about internal conflicts within the team fuelled this on-going chaos with some reports even suggesting Shaheen Afridi’s disagreement over leadership position as Babar Azam remains Pakistan’s captain.
It seems there is an even bigger problem in what should be done with such two talismanic figures given that there seems to be a rift between them.