KARACHI: National selector Aaqib Javed on Tuesday defended the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) controversial mid-series shake-up, saying the team’s inability to compete in the first two Tests against England had forced the selectors to change the combination and “mindset” for the final match of the series.
The PCB’s decision to sack red-ball head coach Sarfraz Ahmed — to replace him with white-ball head coach Mike Hesson — send seven players home and replace bowling coach Umar Gul with Australian Ashley Noffke has attracted widespread criticism, with former players and coaches questioning the wisdom of making sweeping changes with a Test still remaining in the series.
Selection committee member Misbah-ul-Haq subsequently resigned after reportedly not being consulted over the changes.
Speaking on a private news channel after the developments, Aaqib acknowledged that the selectors would have to take responsibility for the 17-member squad they had originally chosen but argued that the team’s management had failed to make the required decisions during the tour.
“When we select a team, we sit with the coach and captain and build a squad. We are absolutely prepared to take responsibility for that squad,” Aaqib said.
