'Only a miracle can make Pakistan win ICC T20 World Cup'

Former Test fast bowler Jalaluddin says players for T20 World Cup have been selected on "personal liking"

Syed Intikhab Ali

September 07, 2021

Pakistan cricket team celebrate after taking a wicket. Photo: AFP

"Only a miracle" can make Pakistan win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, said former Test fast bowler Jalaluddin Monday.

"Ramiz hasn’t been appointed PCB chairman so far so he could not have asked them to resign, so why did both most responsible figures of Pakistan resign? A few days ago they were talking about the future planning of Pakistan cricket and especially the preparation for the T20 World Cup. And now they have resigned," he lamented.

He said Ramiz Raja should not accept Misbah and Waqar's resignations and instead, should make them stay on till the world cup. "They can't run away like this," he said.

Ramiz to face challenges in domestic cricket

Jalaluddin welcomed former captain Ramiz Raja's appointment as PCB chairman, saying that "he understands the modern-day cricket requirements and has good reputation and relations in the world which will help Pakistan cricket."

However, he said the former Test batsman has his work cut out for him and managing Pakistan's domestic cricket will be a challenge for him.

"They haven’t allowed club cricket, the electoral process of cricket associations could not be started so far and only nominated people have been picked up to establish the associations on an ad hoc basis," he said.

He said a litany of jobs were created in the PCB such as those of general managers, directors, coaches, assistant coaches, physiotherapists, managers but the board was unable to produce any new players.

"We are compelled to retain 40-year-old players," he said.