Pakistan cricket team is doing poorly these days, it is facing criticism from all sides. In the latest developments, a statement has also come from former England cricket team captain and commentator Nasir Hussain. He said that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) itself has made its team a laughing stock. Keep in mind that the Pakistani cricket team that went on the England tour lost two tests at Headingley and Lord’s. After trailing 0-2, the Pakistani team will now play at Edgbaston on 9th September.
Former England captain Nasir Hussain has also expressed his displeasure over the decisions of PCB and its chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Nasir Hussain clearly said that he was already disappointed with Pakistan’s poor performance against England, but the way PCB handled the entire situation, instead of reducing the problems of Pakistan cricket, it increased.
‘The world was not laughing at Pakistan’
After the defeats in Headingley and Lord’s Test, PCB decided to send back seven players and two coaches from the England tour. Players like Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Aga and Imam-ul-Haq were dropped from the team. Apart from this, Mike Hesson was given the responsibility for the third Test to be held in Birmingham in place of Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Nasir Hussain scolded
Questioning these decisions of PCB, Nasir Hussain said that the condition of Pakistan was already bad, but at that time people were not making fun of it. While talking on Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Hussain said- I don’t think the world was laughing at Pakistan after Headingley.
He further said that his displeasure at Lord’s was regarding Pakistan’s performance. He was disappointed that the team did not fight enough to return to the match. He also expressed his disappointment over India-Pakistan matches becoming one-sided and Pakistan playing poor cricket. But according to him, the recent decisions of PCB changed the whole situation.
‘Made Pakistan a laughingstock’
Nasir Hussain said that his previous anger was due to disappointment after seeing the state of Pakistan cricket. But the way PCB handled the situation, the matter got worse. He said- It was because of that disappointment that where such a great cricketing nation has reached now. What he has done now has made Pakistan a laughing stock. They have made the situation worse.
PCB also cornered on Imam controversy
Nasir Hussain raised the most questions regarding the case of Imam-ul-Haq. Imam suffered a calf strain on the first day of the Lord’s Test. Due to this injury, he could not bat for Pakistan in both the innings of the match. However, before the start of the match on the fourth day, Imam was seen batting in the nets. After this, questions started being raised about the seriousness of his injury. Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad reportedly even called it ‘just a show’.
Meanwhile, PCB’s High Performance Director Aaqib Javed raised questions on Imam’s commitment to the team on live TV. Javed criticized the Imam and publicly raised questions about his condition. This was the thing that displeased Nasir Hussain the most.
‘How can a player be thrown under the bus?’
Hussain said that he does not understand how the High Performance Director can target his own player like this on a public platform. He said- I can’t believe how a high performance director can go on TV and throw his own player under the bus, rightly or wrongly. Is he injured or not? The way public statements were made in the Imam’s case made him call the entire process ridiculous.