Former Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali has stepped down from the national selection committee and his role as head of youth development at the Pakistan National Cricket Academy.Azhar submitted his resignation to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed was given full control of the Pakistan Shaheens and Under-19 teams, news agency PTI reported citing sources.“Azhar sent his resignation to the board earlier this week and it was accepted,” a source was quoted as saying by PTI.Azhar, who played 97 Tests, took on the role of selector and youth development last year. A PTI report said he was frustrated with the way the board was functioning.“He is irritated by bureaucracy as well as the fact that some of his suggestions for young cricketers in the academy have not been implemented,” PTI quoted a source as saying.Azhar was also unhappy that the board handed over all matters relating to the Shaheens and under-19 cricket to Sarfaraz without informing him.“Azhar felt that with Sarfaraz now being asked to lead the Shaheens and Under-19 teams, a large part of his responsibilities as head of youth development was taken away without his consent, so he decided to resign,” PTI quoted a source as saying.Sarfaraz, who was associated with the PCB as a mentor and later as an advisor on cricket affairs, was last week asked to take charge of both the teams. He was given the authority to oversee the performance of the coaches, selection, training camps and travel with the teams.In recent years, several former players and coaches, including overseas staff, have not completed their contracts, either left early or been recalled.Recently, the PCB decided not to renew the contract of Muhammad Wasim as the head coach of the women’s team after the World Cup, where they finished last among the eight teams.
