Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) incoming chairman Ramiz Raja held a meeting with the national cricket team in Lahore on Tuesday where they discussed the new direction of Pakistan cricket. Ramiz talked about various matters concerning Pakistan cricket and told the players to adapt to modern cricket and play fearlessly.
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the players were also asked about their concerns and apprehensions, and they shared their opinions on various matters. The players talked about the issue of coaches, double standards in selection, and a lot more during an open-ended meeting.
One of the players said that they would prefer a foreign coach over a local coach as local coaches are judgmental.
The report stated,
The players carry a constant sense that a local coach will use their weaknesses against them rather than working with them to rectify them. The communication with coaches about that problem then becomes a reason for players to be axed, according to one player, which further inhibits talking to them about it.
According to the report, players also shared their concerns with PCB’s double standards regarding selection. The players said that they were told that there would be no compromise on fitness standards, but there have been a few cases in the past that players were selected who did not meet the required fitness standards.
Ramiz told the players to play ‘fearless’ cricket and play according to the requirements of the modern game. The players also showed concerns with this statement as they asked the chairman that how are they supposed to play fearless cricket if they are concerned that they will be dropped from the team if they don’t perform in a few matches.
One player opined,
If we have to be fearless in going for 350 in an ODI, there is a possibility that we someday may end up 160 all out or 200 all out. But is the board is ready to give us that room to be fearless? Because without the support and backing from the board and management adapting to this modernity won’t be possible.
The players also talked about the influence of social media in the selection of the team. They said that there are a lot of stats being posted on social media without any context of match situations or conditions, which influences the selection policy.
