Pakistan cricket’s latest upheaval has drawn sharp criticism from former England captain Nasser Hussain, who said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had turned a difficult situation into a laughingstock with its handling of the team’s crisis in England.
Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests at Headingley and Lord’s, after which the PCB sent seven players and two coaches home and replaced Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed with Mike Hesson for the third and final Test, starting in Birmingham on September 9.
Among those sent home were Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq, while pace-bowling coach Umar Gul was also removed.
Hussain, speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, said Pakistan’s problems had initially been about their performances, but the PCB’s response had made the situation even worse.
“I don’t think after Headingley the world was laughing at Pakistan,” Hussain said. “My frustration at Lord’s was about their lack of fight -- it wasn’t to mock them, but to point out that a great cricketing nation was heading in the wrong direction.
“But with what’s happened now, they’ve made themselves a joke. They’ve made it worse.”
The former England skipper was particularly critical of the way Imam’s injury became a public issue. Pakistan’s director of high performance Aaqib Javed questioned the opener’s commitment on live television after cameras showed him batting in the nets before play at Lord’s, despite having suffered a calf strain.
“I just can’t believe the director of high performance can go on TV and run his own player down like that. Either he’s injured or he isn’t,” Hussain said.
“With other touring teams, when you ask about an injured player, you usually get a straight answer -- he’s had a scan, he’ll bat if needed, that sort of thing. The way Imam has been treated is just ridiculous. You have to look after your players. Show some respect.”
Hussain’s criticism comes amid wider concerns over the PCB’s handling of the team. Former Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie, who led the side to a 2-1 Test series win over England last year, said the players appeared to be “playing with fear” under the current setup.
Gillespie also questioned Aaqib’s selection strategy, saying the selectors “change their mind like they change their pants -- daily”.
He pointed to Salman Ali Agha’s sudden omission after captaining Pakistan in the first Test as an example of the uncertainty surrounding the team.
“How does that work?” Gillespie asked, adding that there was “definitely no communication” between Aaqib and the players.
The former Australia pacer also claimed some of the players sent home learned of their axing through family, friends and the media rather than directly from the team management.
Pakistan now face the task of salvaging something from a tour that has descended into chaos both on and off the field, with Hesson and Australian Ashley Noffke taking charge for the remainder of the England series.
