Ex-PCB chief blames coaches, not selectors for Pak's poor show in Champions Trophy

A former Pakistan cricket Board (PCB) chief has said that the team's coaches are responsible for their poor show in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.

Taking away the blame from the national selectors, Khalid Mehmood said the coaches needed to be questioned on the team's show, adding that selectors did not have that many options for the team, the Express Tribune reports.

Holding the coaches entirely responsible for the team's failure, Mehmood further said that as nobody applauds the chairman when the team wins, similarly, the PCB chief and selectors should not be answerable for the team's poor performance.

Despite the poor show, it seems as if no one wants to take responsibility after a selector said that there were hardly any flaws in team selection, adding that Imran Farhat won his place by performing well in South Africa and in domestic cricket.

The selector further said that Shoaib Malik's experience was required in the absence of seasoned campaigners including Younus Khan and Shahid Afridi, who were dropped after demands from the captain, adding that captain Misbah-ul Haq had also faith in Malik.

On the selection of Kamran Akmal, the selector said that unfortunately, there is no other better wicket-keeper option, although he admitted that Akmal's batting credentials are better than his keeping abilities.

The selector further said that all-rounder Abdul Razzaq did not give any proof of his form and fitness as he stayed away from domestic cricket despite repeated calls for participation, for which the selectors snubbed him.

However, Mohammad Zaka Ashraf, suspended as PCB chairman, distanced himself from the team's pathetic show, saying that that the individuals on the field were responsible for their show in the ongoing tournament.