Nasir Hussain criticizes PCB for making ‘situation’ in Pakistan worse: ‘What they did made them a laughing stock’
Nasser Husseinformer England The captain, is the latest cricketer across the world to express his displeasure with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and how the body reacted to the team’s loss in the opening two Tests of the three-match series. After defeats at Headingley and Lord’s, the PCB decided to send seven Pakistani players and two coaches from England, angering fans and experts around the world.
Players such as Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq have all been given their marching orders, and Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has been replaced by Mike Hesson for the third Test in Birmingham, which starts on September 9.
Moreover, PCB High Performance Director Aaqib Javed criticized Imam on live television, questioning his commitment to the team. The left-handed opening batsman suffered a calf strain on the opening day of the Lord’s Test, ruling him out of the affair. The senior batsman did not play for the team in either innings and his antics on day four also came into question.
On the fourth day, before the start of play, Imam was seen knocking on the door, which raised questions about the extent of his injury. Stuart Broad, the former England international, remarked that it was all “for show”.
Speaking on Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Hussain said Pakistan has become a laughing stock with the latest antics of PCB and its boss Mohsin Naqvi.
“I don’t think the world was laughing at Pakistan after Headingley. My rant at Lord’s about them not responding, that the India-Pakistan matches were very one-sided and that they were a poor team playing poorly, I wasn’t laughing at them,” Hussain said.
“It was just a matter of frustration to see what this great cricketing nation has come to now. What they have done now is make a laughing stock of them. They have made it worse,” he added.
“I can’t believe it”
The former England captain then gave his opinion on the Imam’s situation, saying he could not believe how a high-performing manager had thrown his player under the bus. He further stated that players need to take care and show some respect.
“I can’t believe how a high-performing manager can go on TV, whether he’s right or wrong, and throw a player under the bus. He’s either injured or he’s not,” Hussain said.
He added: “For every other touring team, if we ask about the player’s performance, they will say: ‘He has undergone a scan and will only bat if necessary.’ The whole deal with Iman’s situation is ridiculous. You have to protect your players a little bit.”
