With four matches still to go, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a statement, throwing captain Babar Azam under the bus, saying he had full freedom in team selection. The statement also added that a decision on Pakistan’s captaincy will be taken after the Cricket World Cup. But despite a lengthy negotiation process for Pakistan Cricket Central Contracts, and a lot of back and forth, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and all Pakistani players have not received their salaries for the last five months. It is after Pakistan players agreed to PCB’s most demands including NOC to play in franchise T20 leagues.
Yet, as players are facing harsh criticism for their performance in the Cricket World Cup, they are playing without getting paid for five months as per Pakistan’s Samaa TV. PCB earlier announced a 200% pay hike for players. But in reality, none has been paid.
With negotiations ongoing, Babar Azam & Co played Asia Cup without any contract or pay. As Pakistan exited the Asia Cup from the Super 4 stage, PCB blamed players for playing in T20 leagues. With that, Pakistani cricketers had to concede a little on the NOCs. Even after signing a mega contract, Shaheen Afridi is still uncertain to play in the ILT20 2024.
Poor World Cup campaign
While the expectations were that Pakistan Cricket Team would make it to the semifinals of Cricket World Cup without too much hassle, it hasn’t happened so far. Pakistan Cricket Team surrendered to Team India in front of a hostile crowd. But it was just the beginning.
Pakistan Cricket Team went on to lose to Australia by 62 runs and to top it off, they lost to neighbours Afghanistan by 8 wickets. And all hell broke loose.
Pakistan in WC so far:
- Won by 81 runs vs Netherlands
- Won by 6 wickets vs Sri Lanka
- Lost by 7 wickets vs India
- Lost by 62 runs vs Australia
- Lost by 8 wickets vs Afghanistan
PCB statement
No cricket board in the world comments on captaincy during a World Cup campaign. And even if they do, they offer unconditional support. Yet, PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf released a statement that had too many things wrong.
Even as the headline of the press release read: “PCB urges cricket fraternity to support Pakistan Team” amid harsh criticism from fans, the statement was something else.
“Captain Babar Azam and Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq were given freedom and support in forming the squad for the ICC World Cup 2023,” the PCB statement read.
Without taking any responsibility for the team’s performance, PCB threw Inzamam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam under the bus.
“Looking ahead, the board will make decisions in the best interest of Pakistan cricket based on the team’s performances in the World Cup,” it added, opening the door to yet another change in Pakistan captaincy.
Cricket World Cup Schedule for Pakistan
| Date | Day | Team 1 | Team 2 | City | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 6 | Friday | Pakistan | Netherlands | Hyderabad | Pak won by 81 runs |
| Oct 10 | Tuesday | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Hyderabad | Pak won by 6 wickets |
| Oct 14 | Saturday | India | Pakistan | Ahmedabad | India won by 7 wickets |
| Oct 20 | Friday | Australia | Pakistan | Bengaluru | Aus won by 62 runs |
| Oct 23 | Monday | Pakistan | Afghanistan | Chennai | Pak lost by 8 wickets |
| Oct 27 | Friday | Pakistan | South Africa | Chennai | Pak lost by 1-wicket |
| Oct 31 | Tuesday | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Kolkata | Pak won by 7-wickets |
| Nov 4 | Saturday | New Zealand | Pakistan | Bengaluru | Pakistan won by 21 runs via DLS |
| Nov 11 | Saturday | England | Pakistan | Kolkata | 2:00 PM |
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