Former Pakistan Test captain Rashid Latif has accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of making an attempt to create a divide within the nationwide staff, and mentioned their designs gained’t work in opposition to a “united” facet.
Reports counsel that skipper Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan, amongst others, have been instructed to take a break from the three-match T20I collection in opposition to Afghanistan starting in Sharjah on March 24, in opposition to their needs.
PCB chief selector Haroon Rasheed is prone to announce the T20 squad for the collection in Sharjah on Monday, with a number of new gamers prone to get the nod.
Up till now, the phrase was that tempo spearhead Shaheen Afridi can be main the facet in Babar’s absence. But apparently the tall left-arm quick bowler can be not within the scheme of issues now because the selectors have both instructed him that he can be rested or he himself has not been receptive to the supply of captaincy.
Latif, a former wicketkeeper-batter, mentioned it might be unwise for the PCB to attempt to provoke a coverage of divide and rule within the Pakistan staff.
“The word is that, initially Babar and Rizwan had protested on being conveyed they should take a break, but have now told the board (PCB) they are available and the selectors can take their decision,” mentioned Latif.
Latif mentioned he had not seen a extra united set of gamers in Pakistan’s dressing room.
“I don’t think the board’s endeavours (to replace senior players for the Afghanistan series) will succeed as these players will stick together. And if we end up losing the series to Afghanistan, the board and selectors will face a backlash which they wouldn’t be able to handle,” he added.
“I think they (PCB) feel there is players power in the team but I tell you the current players are very united. Be it Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Muhammad Rizwan or others, they will not be divided.” Latif mentioned the best way ahead for selectors was to check out some new gamers however the Babar ought to proceed to guide the facet in all codecs.
Interestingly, Babar and Shaheen skipped the final spherical of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches for his or her franchises on Sunday regardless of being captains of their sides.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com