World Cup was last chance for Sana and co, says chairman PCB

KARACHI: Expressing disappointment at the poor show by Pakistan's women cricket team in the ICC Women’s World Cup, PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan has hinted at changes in the team's management, saying that the World Cup was the last chance for Sana Mir and co.

Pakistan lost all seven games in Women’s World Cup and finished at the bottom of the eight-team tournament in England. Following the poor run, management of the women's team received criticism from all quarters, and now Khan has publicly termed the performance as “disappointing”.

“It was disappointing, I was there and it seemed that Pakistan women cricket team has been stagnant. I couldn’t see any sign of improvement there,” he said during an interview on Geo Super’s show Yey Hai Cricket Pakistan.

“We need to change the current group of players and need to bring new talent; athletic sportswomen should be inducted into Pakistan women team,” he said.

The chairman also hinted at the axing of captain Sana Mir and manager Ayesha Ashar, adding that the World Cup was the last chance for them. “It was the last chance for them. Now, [it is the] time to bring changes in the Pakistan women cricket team.”

In response to a question, the chairman affirmed reports of grouping in the team. However, he didn’t talk much on the rifts among players.

Khan also spoke about the ongoing match fixing inquiry and hoped that the matter will reach its logical conclusion in two weeks’ time. “[The hearing at anti-corruption tribunal] should complete soon,” he said.

The chairman confirmed that two more names surfaced during the inquiry, but didn’t go into the specific of the matter. “I have heard about the two names emerging into the scandal,” he said.

Khan expressed disappointment at the reports of Pakistan players objecting to the prize money being offered to them by different corporates and termed the attitude as inappropriate.

“This is not appropriate, and I will take notice of it once I am home,” he said.