In a special meeting held at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, former cricketers and technical committee members Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez scrutinized Pakistan’s performance during the Asia Cup. However, an incident involving a sports journalist’s tweet sparked controversy regarding their stance on the selection of the World Cup squad.

A tweet from a sports journalist suggested that Misbah and Hafeez had reservations about the selection committee’s choices for the World Cup squad. It was reported that they questioned the rationale behind certain player selections and advocated for the inclusion of Sarfaraz Ahmed instead of Mohammad Haris.

Feeling misrepresented, Mohammad Hafeez took to his social media platform to address the situation. He strongly criticized the journalist for spreading fabricated news and expressed his disappointment at being portrayed in such a misleading manner. Subsequently, both parties deleted their tweets.

The meeting primarily focused on conducting a comprehensive evaluation of Pakistan’s performance in the recently concluded 2023 Asia Cup. Discussions included an analysis of the team’s weaknesses during the Asia Cup and strategic considerations for the upcoming World Cup.

In a notable gathering held at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, Pakistan’s performance in the recently-concluded 2023 Asia Cup underwent thorough scrutiny. The meeting, chaired by Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the PCB management committee, convened key figures, including Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, head coach Grant Bradburn, and members of the technical cricket committee, specifically Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. Team director Mickey Arthur and vice-captain Shadab Khan participated in the discussions via video conferencing.

During the meeting, Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez meticulously pinpointed the deficiencies observed in the Pakistani team’s performance during the Asia Cup. They posed pertinent questions to the management, addressing topics that ranged from forthcoming strategies to team composition and player utilization.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the performances of struggling opener Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan. Captain Babar Azam expressed his unwavering support for both players and anticipated improved performances from them in the upcoming World Cup.

Sources suggest that there is a possibility of retaining Shadab Khan as the Vice-Captain, although the final decision will hinge on further consultations. Chairman Zaka Ashraf has also sought the captain’s perspective on this matter.

Interestingly, some of the coaches reportedly failed to provide satisfactory responses during the meeting. Sources have revealed that the cricket committee identified several mistakes, which the coaches acknowledged but seemed hesitant to alter their strategies. Concerns emerged as it appeared that despite recognizing past errors, there were indications of a persistence with the same approaches in the future.

The meeting also addressed contingency plans, particularly in scenarios where a player loses form or sustains an injury. Notably, team manager Rehan ul Haq was unable to attend due to personal reasons. The absence of Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq raised eyebrows, considering his pivotal role in selecting the squad for the Asia Cup and his forthcoming responsibility for forming the squad for the World Cup.

During a media briefing held in Karachi on Monday, Misbah stressed that the team’s defeat should not be pinned on any single player.

“The responsibility for the entire 228-run loss does not rest solely on the captain. This was a collective team failure, a part and parcel of cricket. We must evaluate our performance and strategize for the upcoming World Cup. It’s unfair to single out one individual; remember, cricket is a team sport, and our management also plays a crucial role. This same team had been on a winning streak, but yes, there are areas that need improvement,” said Misbah.

Misbah pointed out that while the spin department faced challenges during the matches, it is important not to lose faith in the abilities of the players. He cautioned against making hasty judgments based on one poor performance.

“Our spin department may have had an off day, but it doesn’t mean our players lack skill. They have the capacity to adapt and improve. We shouldn’t overreact to a single bad performance. Let’s not forget that Shadab Khan has delivered outstanding performances in the past,” he added.