Rawalpindi, Aug 27 (AP) A lack of quality backup is eroding the strength of the national team, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in the wake of the embarrassing 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the first test.

“It was a very disappointing loss,” Naqvi said Monday, a day after Bangladesh's historic maiden test win against Pakistan in 14 test matches at Rawalpindi. “The problem is the selection committee has no pool to turn to" for high-quality replacement players, he said. Pakistan has been searching for a test win at home since its last victory over South Africa at Rawalpindi in December 2021. The first-test loss was its fifth at home in that span, which also includes four draws. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Promises ‘Changes’ After Pakistan's Shock Defeat Against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi Test.

Naqvi had spoken about conducting a big overhaul after Pakistan was eliminated from the Super Eight at the T20 World Cup, losing to archrival India and the tournament co-host United States team. “We want to fix our problems,” Naqvi said, “but when we look at how to resolve them, we don't have any solid data or (elite) players pool which we can draw from."

The PCB chairman said that AI has been used to pick 150 players for the Champions Cup 2024. The 50-over tournament is scheduled to be held from Sept. 12-29. "The 150 players who have been selected, there is an 80% role of computer and 20% human," the PCB chairman added.

PCB Chairman Reveals Use of AI for Picking Champions Cup 2024 Squads

Pakistan cricket stalwarts Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Misbah-ul-haq, Shoaib Malik and Sarfaraz Ahmed will work as mentors of the five teams in the Champions Cup. “This Cup will make domestic cricket strong, we'll have a pool of 150 players, and then the surgery will be done by the selection committee,” Naqvi said, adding that critics have been urging for an immediate overhaul of the test team. "But you can't dump someone unless you have a better one to replace them.” PCB Announces Free Entry for Students at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for Pakistan vs Bangladesh 2nd Test 2024 Starting August 30.

Pakistan surprisingly went without a specialist spinner in the series-opener against Bangladesh but its ploy to go with four pace bowlers backfired. Bangladesh took a solid 117-run first-innings lead after it scored 565 in reply to Pakistan's 448-6 declared. Pakistan crumbled for 146 in the second innings against Bangladesh spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who collected seven wickets in between them. "Losing to Bangladesh is sad but the selection committee had given the team 17 players,” Naqvi said. “If the coach or captain aren't playing some of them, that's their decision. The team management may have made a mistake, but that has nothing to do with the selection committee.” (AP)

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