Mohsin Naqvi Mike Hesson for Pakistan Cricket Team, PCB. Image Credits: AFP
Just days after Pakistan suffered a humiliating whitewash defeat against Bangladesh in a 2-game Test series, the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB committee sacked a key international personnel member who has been with the team since 2017.
Bangladesh scripted history as they won a Test series against Pakistan for the first time at home. What was even more surprising that Tigers had earlier secured a similar 2-0 triumph on Pakistani soil back in 2024.
Pakistan sack team physio after Bangladesh defeat
Meanwhile, the PCB, under the leadership of chairman Mohsin Naqvi, regrouped after the tough series loss. However, instead of holding the players and management accountable, Pakistan sacked team physio Gulf Deakin with immediate effect.
Deakin had been associated with the Pakistan national team since 2017, thus working with several age-group players. However, he has now been shown the exit door.
The senior international physio has been replaced by local physio, Iftekhar Younis, as he will take charge from the next series onwards. This is a clear sign that PCB intends to reduce foreign influence from the team set-up and instead give chances to local doctors.
However, only time will reveal if it will be a wise call because Pakistan is already playing under foreign coach Mike Hesson, who is operating with several key overseas staff members.
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Shan Masood is likely to lose Test captaincy
Meanwhile, captain Shan Masood is being judged as the biggest culprit of Pakistan’s downfall in Test cricket as under his leadership, the team lost 12 out of the 16 Tests, including two whitewash defeats against Bangladesh.
According to multiple reports, PCB officials are already discussing possible leadership alternatives ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming Test assignments, including the tour of the West Indies and the important England series later in 2026.
Reports also suggest that formal conversations regarding a captaincy change could take place in the coming weeks. Interestingly, Shan Masood himself appeared uncertain about his future after the defeat.
During the post-match press conference, the Pakistan captain apologised and admitted responsibility for the team’s failures and stated that the decision regarding captaincy ultimately rests with the PCB.
Pakistan to play an ODI series vs Australia
Meanwhile, with the Test series defeat behind them, Pakistan will now head back home, where they will host Australia in a three-game ODI series. The series will begin on May 30 in Rawalpindi.
The PCB also released the squad for the ODI series vs Australia, with Shaheen Afridi being retained as captain. Babar Azam and Haris Rauf have made a comeback.
However, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has been surprisingly sacked despite consistent performance in the Test series. PSL stars like Abdul Samad, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Maaz Sadaqat have also been called up.
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