No room for undisciplined players in future teams: PCB

ISLAMABAD: No undisciplined player will be included in the future Pakistan cricket teams as the selection criteria have been set out and the basic requirements are fitness, discipline, and performance.

In a shift, the cricketing technical matters have been handed over to two foreigners -- white-ball coach Gary Kirsten and red-ball coach Jason Gillespie -- who will also be part of the selection committee with all the powers to recommend measures for betterment in cricket to the PCB chairman for his approval.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who headed an important three-hour meeting on Monday, called for stern action against undisciplined players, saying that there is no room for any grouping within the team. “No undisciplined player will be included in Pakistan’s future teams. Discipline is a must and all the managers have been given clear instructions to take action against those breaching the discipline no matter how megastar he is.”

Reports emerging following the T20 World Cup misfortune suggest that a couple of players did not live up to the discipline criteria and were uncooperative. Even the managers accompanying the team were reluctant to take action against them. Now the PCB has decided to go tough on these individuals as some of them will be seen sitting out of the upcoming series.

“When it comes to discipline and fitness, no one will be spared. The managers will be free to take action against these players there and then.” The PCB chairman also made it clear that there would be no room for grouping in the team.

“There is no room for grouping in the team. Team’s unity must be seen and observed. All those failing to live up to the required standards would be dealt with accordingly. The managers must take action against all those failing to meet the required standard.”

To maintain required fitness standards, all the leading cricketers will undergo fitness tests after every three months. Every cricketer irrespective of his fame will be required to play in the domestic cricket. The duration of central contracts has been reduced to one year from three. The decision has been made not to reduce the remuneration in the central contracts of the national players.

All those meeting the required standards will make themselves eligible for the extension in contracts. The issuance of NOCs to play foreign leagues/championships will be subject to that particular player’s ability to meet the required standard.

“The technical committee will look into NOC requests on player-to-player basis before deciding on issuing NOCs.” The PCB high-ups have also decided to establish high-performance centres in Islamabad and Peshawar.

“All the centres will be upgraded to international standards.” Kirsten and Gillespie have been given all the powers to decide on crunch matters including making suggestions to improve the overall standard of High-Performance Centres and to make these result-oriented.

Mohammad Yousaf, Asad Shafiq, Usman Wahla and Nadeem Khan were given the task to finalise suggestions for improvement in domestic cricket structure.

The PCB chairman added that the board will invest heavily in players’ grooming and development programmes. The PCB is also planning to invest in pitch preparations and coaches’ grooming to achieve the desired results.

“Both coaches Kirsten and Gillespie will be given all the powers to decide on cricket’s technical matters. They will be part of the selection committee.” Besides Kirsten and Gillespie, the meeting was attended by PCB COO Salman Naseer, Director International Usman Wahla, Assistant Coach Azhar Mahmood, Selection Committee members Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafiq, Bilal Afzal, Director High-Performance Centres Nadeem Khan, and Director Domestic Cricket Abdullah Khurram Niazi.