PCB plans 'strict' action for 'disappointing' Pak over 'bleak' Champions Trophy performance

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly planning to carry out strict measures following Pakistan's bleak performance in the ICC Champions Trophy, ahead of the team's upcoming limited-overs tour of the West Indies.

According to the Express Tribune, the national team's dismal performance, specially the batting, was evident from their bottom-placed finish as they lost all three of their group matches, despite hopes of a maiden title win of the eight-nation tournament.

A senior PCB official said that the board would take decisions on the basis of the team management's report, including the manager and coach, following which a committee may be formed to probe into the team's failure so that appropriate decisions can then be made.

Stating that the changes will come into effect for the West Indies tour, the official further said that the players in the preliminary squad who did not make the cut for the Champions Trophy will be considered for the tour, adding that although there would be no sweeping changes, but three to four players are set to be axed for the tour due to their poor performances.

The official also said that in the absence of the PCB chairman Mohammad Zaka Ashraf, CEO Subhan Ahmad might review the report along with other senior PCB officials including the chairman selection committee

The Islamabad High Court that suspended Zaka Ashraf as PCB chairman last month directed the Inter Provincial Coordination to appoint an acting chairman who would represent the PCB at the International Cricket Council meeting, the report said.

Meanwhile, the official admitted that the future of the PCB was uncertain at this point, saying that there is a general feeling that the entire current setup - the chairman, team officials and the selection committee - might change before this tour.