Out of favour Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad has leveled sharp criticism against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for what he perceives as reckless overspending on the recruitment of five mentors for the newly designed domestic tournament, the Champions Cup. Shehzad’s bold statements are stirring controversy within the cricketing community and spotlighting the financial decisions of the country’s cricketing authority.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has recently enlisted five esteemed cricketing figures – Misbah-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Malik, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Sarfaraz Ahmed – to mentor the participants of the Champions Cup. These mentors, each with illustrious careers and significant contributions to Pakistan cricket, have been contracted for three years. Reports indicate that each mentor is being paid approximately PKR 5 million (around USD 18,000) per month.
This expenditure has raised eyebrows and put PCB under severe scrutiny. Comparatively, the salaries of these mentors exceed the monthly earnings of the centrally contracted Grade A players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shehzad has voiced his concerns over this disparity, stating that the PCB’s allocation of funds to the mentors is excessive and unjust, especially when compared to the remuneration of the top-tier players.
Taking to ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter), Shehzad expressed his discontent and announced his decision to boycott the Champions Cup. “With a heavy heart, I’ve decided not to play in the Domestic Cricket Champions Cup,” Shehzad’s post stated. “The PCB’s favoritism, false promises, and injustice towards domestic players are unacceptable. In a time when Pakistan is struggling with inflation, poverty, and massive electricity bills, the PCB is wasting 5 million Rs on mentors for doing nothing and rewarding failed players in the current team who brought Pakistan cricket to an All-time Low.”
Shehzad’s posts reflect a deep sense of frustration with the PCB’s current practices. He continued by denouncing the PCB’s purportedly unfair treatment of domestic players and criticizing the board’s claims about lacking resources for necessary measures. “It’s even more disrespectful that the PCB claims they don’t have ‘instruments for surgery’ which is a huge disrespect for domestic players. As a Pakistani and true cricket lover, I cannot support a system that has no value for merit.
. I refuse to be a part of this failed setup.”
Such candid statements from Shehzad have sparked a debate among fans and experts. Many have lauded his courage to speak out against the board’s decision-making, while others argue that mentorship by seasoned players like Misbah and Younis could significantly benefit the younger talents.
Adding to this scandal, Shehzad believes that the team management has unjustly scapegoated fast bowler Shaheen Afridi for Pakistan’s humiliating 10-wicket defeat at the hands of Bangladesh. He suggested that the management should also examine the performances of other prominent players like Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, and Babar Azam, and hold them accountable for the team’s overall poor performance.
The fallout from Shehzad’s allegations is still unfolding, but it has certainly cast a shadow over the inaugural Champions Cup. It’s worth mentioning that PCB’s aim in recruiting these mentors was to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket, providing an advanced level of guidance to domestic players. Misbah-ul-Haq, one of the mentors, recently emphasized this mission, stating his dedication to reducing the disparities between different levels of cricket in Pakistan.
However, many critics, Shehzad included, remain unconvinced, arguing that the resources spent on mentors would be better allocated to infrastructure and player development. This disagreement epitomizes a broader ongoing debate about the best ways to revitalize and support cricket in Pakistan.
While the PCB has yet to formally respond to Shehzad’s comments, the board’s executives are likely considering how to address this explosive criticism. The public and media will undoubtedly be watching closely as the situation develops, mindful of the larger implications this controversy may have on the governance and future direction of cricket in Pakistan.
In addition to its economic implications, Shehzad’s refusal to participate in the Champions Cup also raises questions about player morale and unity within the team. This event serves as a critical lens into the complexities and challenges faced by cricket administrators in balancing fiscal responsibility, player welfare, and equitable opportunities for cricket’s brightest prospects.
As the discourse around this issue continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the PCB will navigate these treacherous waters and what impact this controversy will ultimately have on the future of cricket in Pakistan.
