T20 World Cup 2024: PCB Already Thinking of Dropping Non-Performing Players While Pakistan Fight to Remain in Contention for Title

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly set to drop at least six players from the national team due to accusations of favouritism by captain Babar Azam.

This news, leaked midway through the T20 World Cup, continues a troubling trend by the PCB of airing internal issues during critical tournaments rather than waiting for a comprehensive review post-competition.

As reported by Cricket Pakistan, preparations for a sweeping "Operation Clean Up" within the national cricket team have begun in earnest. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has been in discussions with board officials, associates, and several former cricketers to address the ongoing issues.

A consensus has been reached to remove players involved in team politics and to ensure that underperformers are not retained under any circumstances.

This decisive action is scheduled to take place following Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign. Sources indicate that at least six players will be dropped, with reports suggesting that some have only been retained in the squad due to their favourable standing with the captain, despite poor performances.

Criticism has been mounting over Babar Azam's leadership, with concerns raised about his weak captaincy and the dissatisfaction among team members. Doubts have emerged about his decision-making capabilities and other related issues, adding to the scrutiny.

Notably, many top cricketers, including Babar Azam, are represented by the same management company. Former Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf had attempted to curtail the influence of agents within the team, but his efforts were cut short by his resignation. There is speculation that the current social media trends and public statements are part of a coordinated campaign linked to these management companies.

Chairman Naqvi plans to address the public in a press conference soon, although it remains uncertain how detailed his revelations will be. Some advisors have recommended that he speak broadly without mentioning specific players to avoid further controversy.

Furthermore, sources have revealed a significant rise in factionalism within the PCB, prompting measures to dismantle these groups. Major changes in several departments are anticipated as part of this effort.

Chairman Naqvi aims to collaborate with former cricketers to develop a strategy for enhancing the team's performance, leveraging their experience and insights.

Meanwhile, Pakistan players are reportedly unhappy with the recent statements by PCB officials, arguing that such issues could have been postponed until after the World Cup. This sentiment reflects the team's concern that internal discord and public scrutiny could negatively impact their performance during the tournament.

The PCB's urgency in addressing these issues is understandable, given the national team's recent poor performances. Pakistan suffered an unexpected upset loss to minnows USA, and their batters disappointed in a crucial match against India.

Additionally, the team failed to win any of their three series in the build-up to the World Cup against New Zealand, Ireland, and England. These results have intensified the call for a major overhaul within the squad.

In the midst of these developments, the PCB's decision to leak such news has been widely criticised, suggesting a need for better internal communication and management to avoid destabilizing the team during crucial periods.