Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi, centre, chats with Pakistan’s Babar Azam, left, as head coach Mike Hesson watches (AP Photo)
Because of a few emotional decisions here and there, sometimes you get scared of working for your own country when the people don’t respect you, and they sack you.
When you see those things, people getting sacked on a tour, you get worried and scared,” Mushtaq said on the BBC Stumped Podcast. “Changing seven players and the management, especially with the tour still going on, I feel that this is not the right thing,” Mushtaq said. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to overhaul the national team in the middle of its England tour continues to face scrutiny, with former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed admitting that the uncertainty surrounding coaching positions has made him wary of taking up a role with the national side. Mushtaq was asked whether he would be interested in coaching Pakistan and made it clear that he would welcome the chance to work with the national team. However, he also explained why the current environment leaves him concerned about accepting such a responsibility. Obviously, I need only one thing. “This has never happened in Pakistan cricket before. Obviously, I’m hurt as an ex-cricketer, as a Pakistani, these things should not happen. Sarfaraz and Umar Gul, they are some of the most experienced cricketers. They serve the country very well. Sarfaraz was a captain also. If you want to sack them, obviously, you have to sack them after the tour. This is the time to stay calm, don’t make rash decisions,” he added. The board’s changes came after Pakistan’s disappointing results in the first two Tests, leaving the team facing the prospect of a difficult end to the tour.