Lack of team unity among topics discussed at Pakistan Cricket Board's 'connection camp'

Sept. 24, 2024, 8:08 a.m.

Read time estimation: 4 minutes.

  3

The much-anticipated ‘connection camp’ organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) concluded on Monday, with officials presenting a roadmap aimed at revitalising the game during a difficult period for the sport in the country.

Officials and team management, including head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, reported on a day of frank and vigorous discussions, particularly addressing the lack of unity within the national team. Captains Shan Masood and Babar Azam, along with other players, participated in these conversations.

Advertisement This camp was initiated as Pakistan navigates one of the most difficult periods in their cricket history, with administrative turmoil resulting in a string of poor performances on the field. In the past year alone, Pakistan has suffered defeats to Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup, the USA at the T20 World Cup, and recently lost a home Test series against Bangladesh 2-0.

Speculation has been rampant regarding rising tensions in the dressing room, stemming from last year’s issues but intensified by the quick hiring and removal of Shaheen Shah Afridi as T20I captain, along with Babar Azam’s reinstatement.

Kirsten, the white-ball coach, was surprised by the extent of these tensions when he first joined the team.

Salman Naseer, the PCB’s chief operating officer (COO), acknowledged that the discussions included the team’s lack of unity, extending beyond just the players to the board as well.

“The session was about this, that we openly and candidly accept and identify [issues] and ask for a commitment from each other, demand it, on how we can improve our performances and how we work together as a team,” Naseer said in Lahore after the camp ended. “Our unanimous view was that we need to resolve this going forward and need to identify how we do it.”

Advertisement Naseer refrained from revealing specific details of the discussions, emphasising that creating a “safe space” was vital for encouraging open dialogue. However, tensions between players and the board have escalated recently, particularly after several key players were denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to participate in T20 leagues.

Babar, Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Naseem Shah were barred from playing in these leagues prior to the start of Pakistan’s home season, primarily citing workload management concerns from the board.

“Where the talk is of unity, it wasn’t only about the team,” Naseer acknowledged. “It was between the team and management and how we can work together to do things more successfully. These were definitely part of the discussions. We talked about planning, we talked about workload management.

Advertisement “Everyone is feeling that the performances of players, and management, can be better. The idea was to sit together, identify issues and what can be better. What our vision is and how do we get there?”

Kirsten, who has been in Pakistan for 12 days watching the Champions Cup, sounded optimistic about the depth - in contrast to chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s recent observations.

“I’ve been here the last 12 days or so watching the Champions Cup and have been really encouraged at the depth of quality of players in this tournament,” Kirsten said. “It’s been fantastic to see. I’ve really enjoyed the tournament. The quality of the competition has been high. Been great to see a lot of young players showcasing what they are capable of.”

Advertisement The discussions will continue.

“Because we’re new to the job, our job is to listen and learn and look to implement ways where we can be more effective as players, as a team, and as coaches. What was really clear today was the pride the Pakistan players have in playing for Pakistan and how they want to inspire the country. That was really exciting to hear. The players care and are desperate to do well. We’re on this journey together and we’ll do everything we can to help,” said Gillespie.