‘Pakistan cricket went back 10 years’: Saeed Ajmal launches scathing attack on PCB

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, center, chats with Pakistan’s Babar Azam, left, as head coach Mike Hesson looks on (AP Photo) Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has launched another scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing the governing body of playing a major role in the national team’s recent matches.Ajmal, who took 362 wickets for Pakistan in international cricket before a problem with his bowling action ended his career, has repeatedly expressed his frustration with the PCB. The former spinner alleged that the board failed to support him during a difficult phase of his career.His latest criticism comes after Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat against England in the Lord’s Test. After the loss, the PCB made a number of major changes, sacking head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul while sending seven players back home.Among those sent back was Imam-ul-Haq, who did not bat in an innings and was subsequently accused of feigning a calf injury.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi later tried to defend the players and urged critics to stop demotivating the team. However, Ajmal questioned the sincerity of the report and instead accused the board itself of undermining Pakistan’s cricketers.“The board itself has demotivated the players more than anyone else. The board does not leave any player standing. There are players who have done well who have also been dropped. There are players who have been humiliated by the PCB,” Ajmal said.

Ajmal points fingers at Aaqib Javed, Mike Hesson

The former Pakistan spinner also directed his criticism at Director of High Performance and selector Aaqib Javed and head white-ball coach Mike Hesson.As Hesson was also asked to take charge of the Test side for the third match against England, Ajmal claimed that the pair had significant control over Pakistan cricket and held them responsible for the team’s current plight.“Aaqib Javed and Mike Hesson (who has been asked to take over the Test team for the third Test) are the team. These two control everything and are responsible for this whole mess. It’s all about ego,” Ajmal said on Samaa TV.Ajmal further criticized the PCB’s long-term planning and claimed that Pakistan’s cricket structure has regressed considerably.“Our team went back 10 years. We didn’t plan for the future,” he added.Pakistan have already surrendered the Test series against England and now face the prospect of a clean sweep. The third and final Test is set to begin at Edgbaston on Wednesday, with Hesson expected to lead the Test side.

Mohsin Naqvi defends the PCB’s decision to make the changes

Naqvi, meanwhile, earlier tried to explain the reasons behind the PCB’s decision to make such sweeping changes after Lord’s defeat.In an interview with Geo Network, the PCB chairman insisted that the decisions were not motivated by personal matters and said the board had no choice when the players did not produce results.“Every match of the series is important for us and we are left with no option if a player is not performing but to look for his replacement. The purpose of these changes is not to remove the player from contention but just to replace them. Take (Salman) Agha who is a very good player but for some reasons he could not click. They spoke to him about it,” he said.Naqvi’s comments were aimed at emphasizing that the changes should not be seen as permanent expulsions or personal vendettas.However, Ajmal took a markedly different view, arguing that the PCB’s repeated decisions to remove players and coaches had contributed to instability in the Pakistan team.With Pakistan now one defeat away from a whitewash in England, the pressure on the board, coaching staff and players has intensified.