Pakistan are considering massive changes to their Test setup following their 0-2 series loss to Bangladesh. As reported, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are considering sacking captain Shan Masood and the Test team’s head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Shaheen Afridi, who is Pakistan ODI captain would also be excluded from the Test setup. Reportedly, Afridi has been left out of the Pakistan Test camp, while being included in the white-ball camp.
According to the PCB sources, the board is in talks with former players Younis Khan and Muhammad Hafeez, urging them to join the team in key roles.
“I can confirm that Younis Khan and Muhammad Hafeez have both had talks with PCB officials about joining the board in key positions. But things have yet to be finalised,” the source said.
He said advisors of PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi suggested a revamp in the Pakistan Test squad after the humiliating defeat at the hands of Bangladesh.
“There is a proposal to remove Sarfaraz as head coach and hand him back the responsibility of managing the national Under-19 and A sides,” the source said.
According to the source, Sarfaraz’s removal can only happen if the board first reaches an agreement with former captain Younis, who has previously set certain conditions before accepting any role.
The source also said the board is seriously considering replacing Masood as Test captain. However, Masood has reportedly asked for more time and wants to continue leading the side during the upcoming away series against West Indies and England.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Hafeez is being considered for the roles of chief selector and head of the international cricket department. The source said that discussions between Hafeez and board officials have only been at an early stage so far.
“In Hafeez’s case, there is a feeling that since the former player has been pretty critical about the team and board in media roping him in might create an impression he has been offered a position to stop his criticism,” the source added.
