The controversy surrounding Pakistan cricket continues to escalate, with former fast bowler Sikander Bakht now calling for stern action against Mohammad Rizwan. Bakht has urged the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take a tough stance on Rizwan’s behavior and cancel his central contract. This comes after Rizwan, the current ODI and T20 captain of the Pakistan cricket team, chose to prioritize club cricket over the National T20 Cup, sparking widespread criticism.
Sikander Bakht emphasized that Pakistani players receive a substantial monthly stipend of 60 lakh rupees and are expected to participate in all PCB tournaments. He believes the PCB must ensure that all players take part in these events, and that opting for club cricket instead is a blatant disregard for the board. “If you’re playing club cricket over a tournament organized by the board, you’re disrespecting the PCB,” Bakht said. He also called for PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to take a firmer approach, suggesting that his amicable nature may be hindering his ability to make tough decisions. “You need to be strict to stop what’s happening, and that includes suspending their central contracts,” Bakht asserted.
The recent performance of the Pakistan team under Mohammad Rizwan’s captaincy has been under scrutiny, particularly after their disappointing exit from the tournament following losses to India and New Zealand. Rizwan’s own batting form has been a concern, with the captain struggling to make an impact. Against New Zealand, he was dismissed for just 3 runs, although he did manage to score 46 runs against India. As the controversy surrounding Rizwan continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the PCB will respond to Bakht’s demands and address the issues plaguing the team.