4 Captains, 8 Coaches, 28 Selectors, 4 Presidents – Can Pakistan Cricket Survive This Chaos?

Pakistan Cricket: After the resignation of coach Gary Kirsten and Mohammad Rizwan being made the new captain, the discussion has once again heated up as to why everything is not stable in Pakistan. From the field of politics to the field of sports, there is a constant fear of when a big upset will happen. If we look at the history of the Pakistan team in the last three years, no coach or captain has been able to stay for a long time. According to a report, 8 coaches, 28 selectors and 4 captains have changed in Pakistan in the last three years. Even the president of the board has been changed four times.

In the last few years, Rameez Raja, Ehsan Mani, Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf and now Mohsin Naqvi have become the chairman of PCB. While if we talk about coaches, during this time there have been coaches like Waqar Younis, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Mickey Arthur, Morne Morkel and Gary Kirsten. However, none of them lasted for long. The big question is why no one is able to work in Pakistan.

How many days with Jason Gillespie?

After defeating England in the Test series, there is peace in Pakistan for the time being. The good thing is that Jason Gillespie is still with the Pakistan team, but given the current situation, everyone’s eyes will be on how long he will be able to serve Pakistan cricket. Because in Pakistan, everyone knows one thing that whether the team does well or badly, no one knows when someone’s bag will be packed.

Here’s a detailed look at key changes in the Pakistan cricket team and PCB leadership over the past three years, with names and brief descriptions:

Captains

1. Babar Azam:
   • Led Pakistan across formats but faced criticism after inconsistent performances in key tournaments.
   • Recently replaced for the fast format to bring in new leadership.
2. Shan Masood:
   • Briefly held captaincy in a few series; known for his composed approach.
   • Couldn’t secure a permanent role due to the team’s performance fluctuations.
3. Sarfaraz Ahmed:
   • Veteran captain returned in the interim after being removed previously due to underperformance.
   • Served as a stopgap option but was soon replaced.
4. Mohammad Rizwan:
   • Newly appointed captain for fast formats after the Test series victory against England.
   • Known for his energy and dedication, sparking hopes for a stable leadership phase.

Coaches

1. Waqar Younis:
   • Former pacer served as head coach and bowling consultant but resigned amid a reshuffle.
   • Known for his strict, disciplined approach, which sometimes caused friction with players.
2. Mohammad Hafeez:
   • Appointed as an interim coach, stepping in to stabilize the team during a transition.
   • His short tenure was marked by efforts to unify and motivate younger players.
3. Younis Khan:
   • Appointed as a batting coach, adding depth of experience and mentoring players in technique.
   • Resigned after clashing with PCB management over his coaching role.
4. Mickey Arthur:
   • Led Pakistan to a historic Champions Trophy win but was dismissed post-World Cup underperformance.
   • Known for being a players’ coach who encouraged aggressive playing styles.
5. Morne Morkel:
   • Former South African bowler briefly joined as a specialist bowling coach.
   • His stint was short-lived due to constant changes in coaching personnel.
6. Gary Kirsten:
   • Former South African player with a successful coaching record brought in for stability.
   • Resigned recently, sparking more conversations about Pakistan’s volatile coaching landscape.
7. Saqlain Mushtaq:
   • Appointed as a spin-bowling consultant, bringing his expertise to aid Pakistan’s bowling line-up.
   • His role was not extended amidst another shift in the coaching team.
8. Jason Gillespie (Current):
   • Australian coach currently serving with the team, known for his calm and analytical approach.
   • Speculation surrounds how long he’ll remain, given the unstable coaching situation.

Selectors

• 28 selectors changed: Pakistan’s selection committee has witnessed high turnover, impacting team consistency. Notable selectors included Inzamam-ul-Haq, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Mohammad Wasim, each serving briefly but replaced due to performance issues and internal disagreements.

PCB Chairmen (Board Presidents)

1. Rameez Raja:
   • Appointed with the vision of modernizing Pakistan cricket and enhancing PSL’s global reach.
   • Removed after a series of losses, sparking debate over his reformative measures.
2. Ehsan Mani:
   • Focused on financial transparency and elevating Pakistan’s status in international cricket.
   • Faced criticism for his conservative approach and was eventually replaced.
3. Najam Sethi:
   • Known for his administrative skills and instrumental role in launching the PSL.
   • Short-lived term as chairman; internal conflicts led to his exit.
4. Zaka Ashraf:
   • Prioritized better bilateral cricket relations and PCB’s internal restructuring.
   • His tenure was marred by political interference, resulting in a quick departure.
5. Mohsin Naqvi (Current):
   • Recently appointed to stabilize PCB amidst frequent leadership changes.
   • Seen as a potentially reformative figure, but faces challenges from Pakistan’s volatile sports landscape.

This continuous turnover has led to uncertainty and difficulty in building a consistent team vision and strategy.

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