Sources say around 30-35 ex-cricketers will meet PCB chief; to be taken into confidence over new tournaments
\n LAHORE
\nPakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has summoned more than two dozen former cricketers to hold consultations regarding the country\u2019s existing domestic cricket system, sources told Geo News on Saturday.
\nAround 30 to 35 international cricketers, the sources added, will meet Naqvi on Monday and will provide feedback and suggestions regarding improvement in the domestic cricket structure to make it more attractive.
\nMeanwhile, the cricketers will also be taken into confidence over three new tournaments by the name of \u201cChampions\u201d.
\nThe expected meeting comes as the national side has been under scrutiny and subjected to severe criticism owing to their dismal performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 where the Men In Green failed to even progress to the Super Eight stage.
\nDuring the tournament, the Green Shirts showcased below-par performance in all three fields and suffered an upset loss against the minnows United States and a subsequent disappointing defeat against India, resulting in their early elimination from the tournament.
\nThe meeting comes days after the team\u2019s white-ball coach Gary Kirsten submitted his \u201cconfidential\u201d assessment report to the PCB chairman regarding the side\u2019s performance in the mega event.
\nThe report, as per the sources, highlights players\u2019 fitness, discipline and game awareness among other things that led to the team\u2019s early exit from the World Cup.
\nBabar\u2019s future as captain in limbo
\nOn Thursday, Naqvi, while speaking to reporters in Lahore, had said that star batter Babar Azam\u2019s future as captain will be determined by former cricketers and head coach Kirsten, stressing that no decision had been made in this regard yet.
\nHowever, the PCB head didn\u2019t provide any names as to who would be these ex-players.
\nNaqvi told reporters that no decision should be taken when a person is angry as steps taken in haste are mostly counterproductive.
\n\u201cI\u2019m only speaking to those former cricketers who are interested in the betterment of Pakistan cricket,\u201d he added.
\nPreviously, the PCB boss had hinted at \u201cmajor surgery\u201d in the squad owing to scathing criticism by both the fans and former players.
\nPCB brings back Yo-Yo test
\nEarlier, Geo News while citing sources had reported that Kirsten had expressed concerns over the players\u2019 fitness levels, stating they are not up to the mark.
\nFollowing the coach\u2019s reservations, the board has decided to bring back the Yo-Yo test to improve the fitness of the players nationwide, Geo News reported earlier this week.
\nThe Yo-Yo test \u2014 a running aerobic fitness assessment that involves running between two sets of cones positioned 20 metres \u2014 was not being conducted in the recent past but now Director of Domestic Cricket, Khurram Niazi, has approved a plan to improve fitness.
\nFitness tests will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, fitness tests will be conducted nationwide from July 11 following the approval by the PCB chairman.
\nPlayers who fail the fitness tests will be dropped not only from the national team but also from regional teams.
\nNiazi has made regional contracts and team selection conditional on passing fitness tests.
\nTest cricketers, international cricketers, and national cricketers must pass all fitness tests, including the Yo-Yo test.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sources say around 30-35 ex-cricketers will meet PCB chief; to be taken into confidence over new tournaments LAHORE Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has summoned more than two dozen former cricketers to hold consultations regarding the country\u2019s existing domestic cricket system, sources told Geo News on Saturday. Around 30 to 35 international cricketers, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":416945,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-416931","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n