Lahore, October 13, 2024 – The Europe Today: In a critical meeting held late Saturday evening at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) headquarters in Lahore, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi gathered mentors and key officials to address Pakistan’s recent dismal performance in Test cricket. The meeting followed a historic and alarming trend for the national team, which has lost six consecutive Test matches, including a crushing defeat to England in the first Test of the ongoing series.
Sources report that selectors, coaches, and senior team members joined the meeting via video link from Multan, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Despite just two days remaining before the second Test against England, the squad remains unannounced, as discussions continue on finding the optimal team composition to avoid further defeats.
Pakistan’s Test cricket has reached a new low, as they became the first team in history to lose by an innings after scoring over 500 runs in their first innings. This startling statistic, coupled with the fact that Pakistan has failed to secure a home Test victory in the last two years, has left the PCB in a precarious position, forcing officials to rethink their approach.
Discussions during the meeting focused on potential changes for the second Test and the future leadership of Shan Masood. Head coach Jason Gillespie, along with other mentors, contributed strategic insights via video link, aiming to prevent another whitewash. Pakistan has recently endured consecutive clean sweeps, losing series to Australia away and Bangladesh at home.
As the meeting extended into the late hours, several proposals were considered to rejuvenate the team and restore its competitive edge. The new selection committee is expected to announce the squad for the second Test on Sunday morning, as preparations intensify ahead of the match scheduled for October 15 at the Multan Stadium.
The PCB is hopeful that decisive action will help turn the tide for the national team, which was once ranked No. 1 in Test cricket but now finds itself struggling to regain form and confidence.
