Former Pakistan cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed has voiced concerns over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) inconsistent selection policies. In a recent interview with a local news outlet, Ahmed emphasized the need for stability and support for young talents like Azam Khan and Saim Ayub, despite their recent struggles.
Criticism of Inconsistent Selection
Mushtaq Ahmed didn’t hold back when discussing the PCB’s erratic selection criteria. He criticized the frequent changes in player lineups, which he believes confuses both players and fans.
“The consistency lies in your selection criteria,” Mushtaq said. “You play someone for one or two matches and then drop them, only to bring them back after a couple of games. This confuses everyone.”
He stressed the importance of a stable selection process. “When you were playing consistently for three or four series, it felt strange when they said they were still figuring out the combination. If you need that long to understand the combination, it means there is no consistency in your selection.”
Supporting Young Talent
Ahmed highlighted the uncertainty surrounding team selections. “We also don’t know which players will be included or excluded in the next tournament. This inconsistency affects the team’s combination and the players’ performance,” he stated.
Mushtaq also addressed the issue of developing bench strength, lamenting the PCB’s failure to nurture young talent during successful periods. He pointed out that promising players like Azam Khan and Saim Ayub deserve consistent backing from the board.
“Our bench strength isn’t improving. Do you know why? We’ve never experimented, never lifted people from the bench during successful periods. That is the best time to bring in young players,” Mushtaq explained.
“Saim Ayub has shown talent, hasn’t he? Azam Khan came in the middle overs and hit sixes in the PSL. To get the best out of players like Azam or Saim, it’s also the role of coaches and management to back them.”
Both Saim Ayub and Azam Khan have faced challenges in the T20I format recently. Saim has played 23 matches, scoring 309 runs with a highest score of 49, averaging 14.71 at a strike rate of 122.13.
Meanwhile, Azam Khan, in his 14 T20I appearances, has accumulated 88 runs with an unbeaten highest score of 30, averaging 8.80 at a strike rate of 133.33.
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