Sarfraz calls for fresh technical team to support Naqvi’s endeavours

ISLAMABAD: Former Test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz questioned selectors’ wisdom for ignoring Sufyan Moqim from Champions Trophy line-up, saying they should accept responsibility for letting the nation down in the mega event by picking up the faulty combination.

Sarfraz congratulated Mohsin Naqvi on assuming the charge as the president of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and hoped that those selectors and mentors who misguided the entire system by including just one specialist spinner in the Champions Trophy squad should be shown the door.

“Mohsin Naqvi’s appointment as the ACC Chairman is a positive news for Pakistan cricket and the nation. PCB’s chairman appointment will benefit Pakistan and regional cricket in a big way.”

Sarfraz added that the Champions Trophy was a big success. “The credit of this administrative success goes to chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi. But when it comes to team performance, it was pathetic as we failed to win a single match in the mega event.

Biggest culprits are the selectors who miscalculated the team’s strength by ignoring quality spinners. Every critic and expert supported Sufyan’s inclusion not only in the team but in the playing XI for each Champions Trophy match. Selectors kept on reminding us that he is not a bowler who can bowl ten overs.

On Wednesday, he proved everyone wrong by bowling to a teasing line and length and troubling all the Kiwis batsmen on a track that was not suitable for spinners. Had selectors picked him against New Zealand at home in the Champions Trophy match, things would have been different.

Those selectors who are responsible for this big miss should be shown the door.” Former Test fast bowler was also critical of the team’s handling for the T20 and One-Day series in New Zealand.

“New Zealand team is missing six key players who are busy playing in the IPL. Yet the new-look NZ team look unbeatable, winning the T20 series comfortably 4-1 and ODI series 2-0. All the departments including bowling, batting let us down as Pakistan were unable to put up a decent show.”

Sarfraz also called for mentors’ accountability. “These mentors are good for nothing. They were seen criticising the PCB’s policies on mini screens without realizing that they are part of the decision-making process. They are advisors, minting PCB Rs5 million each per month and contributing nothing. They are only liabilities and have no love for the game and for team performance.”

Sarfraz hoped that the PCB chairman would establish a new team consisting of those former cricketers, who want to see Pakistan cricket at its best. “There are former cricketers who want to serve the game and the nation in the best possible way. My suggestion to the chairman is to include those cricketers in the team who have no personal interest and are ready to serve the game in any capacity.”

He suggested Iqbal Qasim’s name for the post of chief selector. “He is a cricketing brain and should be appointed as chairman selectors with the likes of Shoaib Mohammad and Mohammad Akram given the opportunity to serve with the team.

“These cricketers have the capacity and urge to serve cricket wholeheartedly. Others who have the required experience and are hardworking should also be made part of the new technical team.”