LAHORE – Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has called for the removal of Aqib Javed, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Director of High Performance and a member of the national selection committee, amid sweeping changes to the national team setup.
Saeed Ajmal expressed strong dissatisfaction with the PCB’s recent administrative decisions and changes to the Pakistan team during the ongoing series against England.
He criticised the decision to release players immediately after matches, saying the move had made Pakistan a subject of ridicule internationally and reflected a lack of seriousness in the team’s management.
According to Ajmal, making major changes to the squad, coaching staff and selection committee in the middle of a series was difficult to understand. He said such decisions should have been taken after the completion of the tour rather than while the series was still underway.
Ajmal also said that if any wrongdoing by opening batter Imam-ul-Haq was established, he should face strict disciplinary action so that it could serve as an example for other players.
In a video message, the former spinner questioned the PCB’s treatment of its coaching staff and selection officials and specifically called for Aqib Javed to be removed from his position.
He also questioned the continued backing for Mike Hesson, asking what results the New Zealand coach had delivered in Pakistan’s white-ball cricket.
The comments came after the PCB announced major changes following Pakistan’s defeats in the first two Tests against England. The board released seven players from the squad ahead of the third Test and removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from their positions.
The changes have triggered criticism from former players and cricket analysts, with questions being raised over the timing of the decisions and the PCB’s overall approach to team management.
