Javed Miandad slams PCB over ‘unfair treatment’ of Babar Azam
Miandad expressed his concern saying those running the PCB have no idea about the game
KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the “unfair treatment” of the country's top player, Babar Azam, who stepped down as captain after an abysmal performance in the ICC World Cup 2023.
In an exclusive chat with Geo News, Miandad expressed his concern saying those running the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have no idea about the game.
"Individuals making cricket-related decisions have no ties to the game, resulting in damaging consequences for PCB due to political influence," Miandad stated while urging political figures to refrain from intervening in sports.
"The decision to remove Babar Azam from captaincy is not right; players should be given respect and honour. A strong manager should have been appointed to support Babar so that he could become a strong captain. It is regrettable how PCB has treated a big player like Babar recently," he maintained.
On the other hand, Miandad also highlighted Babar Azam's flaws in batting strategy.
"Babar does not go after the bowlers from the crease, which affects the rhythm in his batting. Babar has immense talent, but he needs a slight alteration in his approach, particularly in the positioning of his body while batting."
"No one is perfect, and Babar Azam has quality, but there's no one to tell him about his flaws in the nets, therefore, he keeps repeating his mistakes. Building confidence comes from rectifying errors in the nets," he added.
He urged Babar to work on his weaknesses. "If Babar Azam ever wants advice, I am always available. This country has given me everything, and I am always ready to guide any player. But if someone doesn't want to come, what can I do?"
Miandad mentioned that Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf were always ready to learn, but today's cricketers don't seem interested in learning.
Meanwhile, he also criticised the appointments of recently retired players instead of experienced ones.
"In the presence of retired players like Iqbal Qasim, Mushtaq Mohammad, Sadiq Mohammad, Haroon Rashid, Shoaib Mohammad, and others, PCB made chief selector who has just retired. How much cricket has Wahab Riaz played? I don't need any position, but good people should be brought forward for the benefit of Pakistan cricket."
He concluded without naming current management committee chairman Zaka Ashraf, asking how much cricket has he played. “But he is running cricket in our country.”
"The cricketing affairs are being managed by sugar mill owners," he added.
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