Reports: PCB to sack players from central contracts following T20 World Cup 2024 debacle

Pakistan Cricket has been infamously known for undergoing drastic changes in the team and management within a short period. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has seen three chairmen being replaced since the T20 World Cup 2022 debacle, and also saw interim change in coaches. Things are yet to stabilize after Pakistan's underwhelming performance at the T20 World Cup 2024.

As per the latest reports, the sword is hanging above the players' heads as the PCB, led by Mohsin Naqvi, braces to sack the central contacts of several players. Moreover, the board will undergo intense alteration, and the move was much anticipated. For the unversed, the Men in Green lost their first game against the underdogs, United States of America, and were thwarted by the Indian team in the subsequent game.

“The board is likely to return to the old system of having a chief selector with two or three selectors and the captain and head coach not sitting in selection meetings with the selectors. Most likely players, who have central contracts, will be demoted or even dropped because of poor performances and other perks awarded to the players will be looked into,” a PCB source told as per NDTV.

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It is time to keep the coaches and change the entire team: Wasim Akram

After the subpar performance at the World Cup 2023, Babar Azam was dethroned as the team's captain, and Shaheen Afridi was named as the new white-ball captain. Afridi went on to lead Pakistan in a T20I series against New Zealand, which they eventually lost and lost his captaincy to Babar, owing to new board formation. To further add, Gary Kirsten was named the white ball coach, making him the second within a year. Former Pakistan pacer, Wasim Akram lambasted the team and called for sacking the team rather than coaches.

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“Pakistani players think that if they don't perform well, the coaches will be sacked, and nothing will happen to them. It is time to keep the coaches and change the entire team. When you select players based on friendship, you'll get these results. Mir should have been in the squad... That was a big injustice,” said Akram.