Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday chaired a crucial three-hour meeting to look into the performance and discipline of the Pakistan cricket team.
The meeting resulted in several key decisions aimed at increasing the team’s performance and unity.
Stressing the importance of team cohesion and discipline, Naqvi made it clear that there would be no tolerance for groupings in the team.
“Those who form groups have no place in the team,” he claimed, adding that no referrals, including his own, for players who breached team discipline would be accepted.
Naqvi stressed that strict action will be taken against those involved in group activities and there must be visible unity among the team members.
Naqvi emphasized his commitment to discipline and declared a zero-tolerance policy for any violation. “Discipline is non-negotiable and there will be severe consequences for those who fail to follow it,” he said.
Apart from addressing discipline issues, the PCB chief also announced that there will be a fitness test for all players every three months. The aim of this step is to ensure that all team members maintain an optimal level of fitness, which is critical for peak performance.
Moreover, the PCB chief emphasized the importance of domestic cricket and directed that all players should participate in domestic competitions to stay in shape and improve their skills. The decision aims to strengthen domestic cricket infrastructure and provide a greater pool of talent for national team selection.
The PCB has also decided not to reduce central contract volumes for the time being. However, these contracts will be reviewed annually based on player performance and fitness. This approach is intended to motivate players to maintain high standards throughout the year.
The PCB had earlier announced a new policy restricting the issuance of No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to national cricketers participating in various leagues.
After a meeting chaired by PCB chairman Naqvi, along with head coaches and the international department, it was decided that players participating in all three formats – Tests, ODIs and T20s – will not receive NOCs for participating in the league this year.
The decision comes as Pakistan’s cricket calendar remains packed until next May with a total of nine Tests, 14 ODIs and nine T20 matches, starting with the upcoming series against Bangladesh leading up to the 2025 Champions Trophy.
