Cricket

Pakistan Cricket Coach Resigns Amidst Allegations of Corruption and NepotismFormer fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed has resigned from his position as a regional coach at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), citing rampant political interference, favouritism, and nepotism in cricket affairs at the grassroots level.In his resignation letter, Shabbir, who served as the head coach in the Dera Ghazi Khan region, expressed his frustration with the deplorable conditions prevalent in Pakistani cricket. He stated that merit was disregarded in player selection, with political connections and favouritism taking precedence."How can Pakistan cricket improve when there is no merit in selection of players at regional level and there is so much interference and nepotism and favouritism by cricket officials?" Shabbir said.Shabbir had taken on the role of head coach in Dera Ghazi Khan with the aim of promoting and developing the game at the district and regional levels. However, he found the situation untenable and chose to distance himself from the current state of affairs."Unfortunately what I have experienced is very frustrating. A player who works hard throughout the year and is a good talent is overlooked in the final selection to pick a player who use political and other connections to get in," he said.Shabbir's resignation comes amidst Pakistan's recent 0-2 loss to Bangladesh, a result that has highlighted the decline of Pakistani cricket. Shabbir believes that the current system is hindering the development of talented players and contributing to the team's poor performance."Even if coaches who are sincere want to do something they are helpless in the existing system," Shabbir said.The PCB has yet to comment on Shabbir's resignation, but his allegations have raised serious concerns about the state of cricket in Pakistan. If the PCB fails to address these issues, it could have a detrimental impact on the future of the sport in the country.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken an innovative approach to talent identification by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into its player selection process. This move marks a significant shift in the way cricket boards approach player recruitment and development.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed that 80% of the 150 players selected for the upcoming Champions Cup will be chosen using AI, while the remaining 20% will be selected by the human selection committee. This decision stems from the board's recognition of the need to address the underperformance of the national team, particularly in the wake of recent defeats.Naqvi emphasized the importance of having a robust player pool to draw from, which has been lacking in the past. The Champions Cup will provide a platform for identifying and evaluating potential talent, creating a comprehensive database of player records.The use of AI in player selection is expected to enhance transparency and objectivity in the process. By relying on data-driven insights, the board aims to minimize the influence of personal biases and ensure that players are selected based on their performance and potential.Naqvi stressed that the selection committee will not hesitate to replace underperforming players with better options. The Champions Cup will provide a continuous stream of data, allowing the board to monitor player performance and make informed decisions.This innovative approach to player selection is a testament to the PCB's commitment to improving the performance of the national team. By embracing technology and data analytics, the board is setting a precedent for other cricket boards to follow.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener and mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders, has expressed his disapproval of the practice of rejecting players solely based on their fitness test scores. He believes that fitness should be a consideration, but not the sole determinant of a player's selection.Gambhir argues that fitness should be assessed by trainers, who can determine whether a player is physically capable of performing at the required level. He emphasizes that players should be selected based on their batting and bowling skills, and that it is the trainer's responsibility to improve their fitness."Fitness should be a factor, but I also do not agree that we have to pass a fitness test to be called fit. I don't agree to that. Fitness should directly be related to the trainer. If a trainer feels that you're fit enough, some people are physically strong from a point of view that they can lift a lot of weights in the gym," Gambhir said.He further adds, "But if you don't select someone just because of a yo-yo test, I don't think that's the right way. You select players on their talent, on their battling skills, on their bowling skills. And it is the trainer's job to keep working on their fitness and keep making them better physically as well. Just because someone doesn't pass a yo-yo test and doesn't get selected, I think that is a bit unfair."Gambhir's comments come amidst speculation that he is a leading candidate to replace Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian team after the T20 World Cup. Dravid has previously stated that the T20 World Cup will be his last assignment with the Indian team.Gambhir has expressed his desire to coach the Indian team, saying, "I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and those across the globe as well."Gambhir was a key member of the Indian team that won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. He is known for his aggressive batting style and his leadership skills.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opening batsman, has expressed his views on the yo-yo test, a fitness assessment used to gauge the physical fitness of cricket players. Gambhir believes that while fitness is important, it should not be the sole criterion for player selection.During a recent interaction with Sportskeeda, Gambhir stated that fitness should be a factor, but players should primarily be judged based on their skills. He emphasized that the yo-yo test may not accurately reflect a player's overall fitness and that it is unfair to drop or ignore players solely based on their performance in the test."Fitness should be a factor, but I also do not agree that we have to pass a fitness test to be called fit. I don't agree to that. Fitness should directly be related to the trainer. If a trainer feels that you're fit enough, some people are physically strong from a point of view that they can lift a lot of weights in the gym," Gambhir said.He added, "But if you don't select someone just because of a yo-yo test, I don't think that's the right way. You select players on their talent, on their battling skills, on their bowling skills. And it is the trainer's job to keep working on their fitness and keep making them better physically as well. Just because someone doesn't pass a yo-yo test and doesn't get selected, I think that is a bit unfair."Gambhir's comments come amid speculation that he may be in contention for the role of head coach of the Indian cricket team. The current coach, Rahul Dravid, is set to step down after the ongoing T20 World Cup.Gambhir has expressed his desire to coach the Indian team, stating that it would be a great honor. He was a key member of the Indian team that won the 2007 World T20 and the 2011 ODI World Cup.