PCB turns to youth after senior players’ disappointing run

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly preparing for a major shift in its approach to team selection, with Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said to be deeply disappointed by the performances of several senior and experienced players.

The development comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s tour of England, where a string of poor results has prompted the board to consider emergency measures and possible further changes to the national setup.

The decision to send wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and opener Imam-ul-Haq back to Pakistan has already triggered widespread discussion in cricket circles. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have also reportedly been removed, while five other players have been left out of the squad.

According to reports, the PCB chairman is now consulting his think tank over additional decisions that could reshape the national team in the coming days.

Repeated Setbacks Raise Questions

The PCB’s frustration reportedly stems from a series of disappointing performances involving experienced players.

Following Pakistan’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, the board had spoken about making major changes but continued to provide opportunities to several established names. Pakistan then suffered defeats against New Zealand and India within five days during the 2025 Champions Trophy, failing to progress beyond the group stage.

The team’s struggles continued at the 2025 Asia Cup, where Pakistan lost three consecutive matches against India in Dubai.

Pakistan also failed to advance beyond the first round of the 2026 T20 World Cup, further increasing pressure on the senior players and team management.

The situation became even more difficult during the ongoing England tour. Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat in the Leeds Test before losing the Lord’s Test by 194 runs.

Focus Shifts to Young Talent

The latest developments indicate that the PCB may now be preparing to place greater trust in younger players.

Naqvi, who took charge of the PCB in February 2024, is reportedly keen to give Under-19 and junior cricketers more opportunities and greater backing so they can gradually develop into future national-team leaders.

The board’s reported new approach would also place greater emphasis on transparency and merit in selection. The selection committee has reportedly been instructed to avoid repeatedly giving opportunities to established players after persistent failures.

The objective is not simply to remove senior cricketers, but to create a stronger pathway for emerging talent and build a team capable of delivering consistent results in the long term.

With Pakistan’s cricket setup already under intense scrutiny, the coming days could prove crucial. The PCB’s next decisions will show whether the board is ready to make a sustained generational change—or whether the latest shake-up will become another short-term response to disappointing results.