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The association with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its strange decisions is old, but this time the selectors have taken a step which has surprised the entire cricket world. Pakistan’s young and talented opening batsman Sam Ayub has been shown the door from the team in the middle of the series by being punished by not batting for just 4 days. Sam Ayub, known for his outspoken and aggressive batting style, was considered the future of Pakistan cricket, but due to constant pressure and unstable policies of the selectors, his career seems to be in eclipse. Fans, former players and cricket experts have reacted sharply to the decision to drop Sam Ayub just before the upcoming important matches against New Zealand and Australia. The anger of the fans can be clearly seen on social media, where people are raising questions as to how a young player can be treated like this after failing in 2-3 innings.
The way players are moved in and out in Pakistan cricket has once again raised serious questions on the team management and selection policy of PCB. Sam Ayub was given the responsibility of opening during the recently played series, but he failed to score as big as expected in some innings. After getting out cheaply in two matches played within just 4 days, the selectors dropped him from the mid-series squad without giving him any second chance. According to sources, the new PCB selection board was under pressure to include the return of senior players and other in-form domestic players. However, instead of nurturing a young player and giving him continuous opportunities, throwing him out in the middle has a deep impact on his mental condition, which is now being criticized by cricket pundits all over the world.
After this alleged ‘game’ with Sam Ayub, former great players of Pakistan have started exposing the working style of PCB. Legends like Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar and Rameez Raja have openly supported Sam Ayub. Former players say that all the successful teams in the world (like India and Australia) give their young players a long run of 10-15 matches so that they can adapt their game to the international level. But the environment in Pakistan cricket has been made such that players play in every match under the fear of being dropped from the team. Former captains questioned that when you cannot tolerate a bad patch of 4 days, then how can a young player be expected to play fearless and aggressive cricket?
The changes in the administrative and coaching staff in Pakistan Cricket Board in recent times have a direct impact on the performance of the players on the field. Due to lack of coordination between the captain, coach and selection committee, new decisions are being taken every day. Sometimes removing Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi from the captaincy and sometimes suddenly showing the way out to an established youth like Sam Ayub, shows that the PCB has no long-term vision. The atmosphere of insecurity within the team has increased so much that players are forced to play defensive games to save their place. Dropping a natural striker like Sam Ayub like this is breaking the morale of other young players working hard in domestic cricket.
After being suddenly thrown out of international cricket, Sam Ayub now faces a big challenge to prove himself. After this decision of PCB, he will now have to go back and score heavy runs in domestic competitions so that he can lock the mouth of the selectors with his bat. However, Sam Ayub has the ability, technique and aggression to score runs against any bowling attack in the world. Fans hope that Sam Ayub will recover from this setback and come back stronger, but this ‘game’ done by PCB has made it clear that uncertainty rules more than talent in Pakistan cricket.