Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Saeed Ajmal Accuses PCB of Demotivating Pakistan Players
Saeed Ajmal criticized Pakistan’s cricket board for making many changes during an important series.
Seven players were sent home before the last Test match in England.
The head coach and assistant coach were also removed.
Ajmal said these decisions could make players lose confidence.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi said the board was trying to replace players who were not performing well, rather than end their careers.
Naqvi also said Pakistan had recently improved in one-day and T20 cricket.
The board later announced an internal inquiry about discipline and conduct.
It did not explain exactly what the inquiry was investigating.
Saeed Ajmal accused the Pakistan Cricket Board of demotivating and humiliating players through recent decisions.
The PCB dismissed seven players during England’s tour and removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul before the final Test.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi defended the changes as necessary replacements, not permanent exclusions from contention.
Naqvi said Pakistan’s limited-overs results had improved but rejected criticism that the country’s cricket was finished.
The PCB announced an internal disciplinary inquiry into media reports about discipline and conduct without specifying the subject.
- Who
- Former Pakistan cricketer Saeed Ajmal, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, and Pakistan Cricket Board officials are central to the dispute.
- What
- Ajmal criticized the PCB’s decision to remove coaches and send seven players home during England’s tour.
- When
- The criticism followed the player removals, while one final Test remained; the PCB announced its inquiry on Monday.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Pakistan’s Test tour of England, including the match at Edgbaston.
- Why
- Ajmal said the board was demotivating players, while Naqvi said the changes were needed because of performance and other concerns.
Saeed Ajmal’s Criticism
PCB’s Defense
Effect of player changes
Saeed Ajmal’s Criticism
Ajmal said the PCB had demotivated and humiliated players, including some who had performed well.
PCB’s Defense
Naqvi said the changes were intended to replace players who were not performing, not to permanently remove them from contention.
Responsibility for Pakistan’s slump
Saeed Ajmal’s Criticism
Ajmal blamed the board, along with Aaqib Javed and Mike Hesson, for what he called a poorly managed situation and said the team had gone back 10 years.
PCB’s Defense
Naqvi said Pakistan’s poor Test performances involved factors beyond performance and that the board was investigating the reasons.
Interpretation of criticism
Saeed Ajmal’s Criticism
Ajmal characterized the board’s decisions as damaging to player confidence and future planning.
PCB’s Defense
Naqvi rejected the idea that criticism showed Pakistan cricket was finished and cited improved ODI and T20I results.
- Critic
- Former Pakistan cricketer Saeed Ajmal
- PCB chief
- Mohsin Naqvi
- Players sent home
- Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar
- Coaching changes
- Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul were removed before the final Test
- PCB justification
- Naqvi described the moves as replacements rather than permanent exclusions
- Disciplinary inquiry
- The PCB said it was reviewing media reports concerning discipline and conduct
- Reported limited-overs progress
- Naqvi said Pakistan rose from eighth to fifth in ODIs and from ninth to sixth in T20Is