‘Not a good decision’: Former Pakistan cricketer fumes at PCB, sends message to Mohsin Naqvi

Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan (left) stands with batting partner Saud Shakeel (AP Photo) Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to drop seven players from the squad in the middle of the England Test series, saying the move could have a detrimental effect on the remaining members of the squad.The PCB confirmed on Monday evening that Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq were among the seven players sent back to Pakistan following the team’s disappointing results in the first two Tests against England.The board also announced seven substitutions ahead of the third and final Test in Birmingham. In another major shake-up, Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been relieved of their roles, with white-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke taking over.Akmal questioned the need to send senior players home when they could simply be left out of the playing XI.“There was one Test left. You could have had both Agha and Rizwan in the squad. You could have dropped them from the playing eleven. You should have kept them in the squad. They are your senior players. They were captains. Sending them back is not good news for the rest of the players,” Akmal said on ‘Game Plan’.The former batsman believes the decision could increase the pressure on those still in the squad, especially with Pakistan already struggling during the series.“This will result in more pressure on the rest of the team. It is not a good decision; if you are sending them back, then chairman Mohsin Naqvi has to adjust the whole system. Create a new team. This decision to send back players is not good for our country and does not send a good message to the rest of the world,” he added.Agha’s situation also raised questions about the timing of the decision. He captained Pakistan in the opening Test at Headingley in the absence of Babar Azam, but was subsequently dropped when the regular captain returned for the Lord’s Test.Meanwhile, Rizwan endured a tough series with the bat. He managed just 61 runs in his four innings against England and was also criticized for his shot selection and lack of awareness of the game.Imam’s situation was different. After struggling in the opening Test, he suffered a calf injury on the first day of the second Test while fielding. He then did not come out to bat, leading to questions about the severity of the injury. The controversy intensified when the former Pakistan selector later claimed that Imam had previously faked an injury.