“Not a Good Decision”: Kamran Akmal Lashes Out at PCB Over Mid-Series Squad Shake-up

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has launched a scathing critique of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following their decision to send seven players home midway through the ongoing Test series against England.

The PCB’s sweeping changes, announced on Monday evening, saw senior figures including Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, and Imam-ul-Haq released from the squad after Pakistan’s lackluster performances in the first two Tests. In a parallel move, the board overhauled its coaching staff, replacing Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul with white-ball specialists Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke.

A “Damaging” Message

Akmal, speaking on the Game Plan show, expressed deep frustration with the management’s handling of the situation. He argued that the decision to repatriate senior players—some of whom have served as captains—is counterproductive and detrimental to team morale.

“There was one more Test left. You could have had both Agha and Rizwan in the squad. You could have dropped them from the playing XI; you should have kept them there,” Akmal stated. “They are your senior players. Sending them back is not a good message for the remaining members of the team.”

Akmal went further, challenging PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to take accountability for the organization’s direction. “This will result in more pressure for the remainder of the team. It is not a good decision. If you are sending them back, then the chairman needs to rejig the entire system. Make a new team. This decision is not good for our country and does not send a positive message to the rest of the world.”

Controversy Surrounds Departures

The mass exodus has fueled speculation and scrutiny. Salman Ali Agha’s departure is particularly jarring given that he served as captain during the opening Test at Headingley while Babar Azam was absent. His subsequent exclusion from the playing XI at Lord’s, followed by his removal from the tour entirely, has raised eyebrows regarding the clarity of the team’s selection strategy.

Mohammad Rizwan’s release follows a dismal run of form, having managed only 61 runs across four innings. Critics have pointed to his questionable shot selection and lack of situational awareness as major factors in his dismissal.

Meanwhile, Imam-ul-Haq’s exit has been shrouded in controversy. After struggling in the first Test, the opener sustained a calf injury during the second match at Lord’s, which prevented him from batting. The injury has since become a point of contention, with allegations—denied by the player—surrounding the legitimacy of his physical status, following comments from a former selector.

As the team prepares for the third and final Test in Birmingham, the shadow of these drastic personnel changes looms large. Akmal’s criticism serves as a stark reminder of the tension within Pakistan’s cricketing ranks, as the board faces intense pressure to justify what many are calling a not a good decision by the national leadership.