Shabbir Ahmed, a former Pakistan fast bowler, has stepped down from his position as a regional coach at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). His decision, announced in a resignation letter, was driven by the deeply concerning conditions prevalent at the grassroots level of cricket in the country.
Ahmed, who served as the head coach in the Dera Ghazi Khan region, expressed his profound disappointment with the pervasive political interference, favouritism, and nepotism that he witnessed in cricket affairs at the regional and district levels. He found the situation to be fundamentally flawed and untenable, ultimately choosing to distance himself from the current state of affairs.
“How can Pakistan cricket improve when there is no merit in the selection of players at the regional level, and there is so much interference and nepotism and favouritism by cricket officials?” he questioned, as quoted by PTI.
Shabbir stated that he initially took on the role of head coach in Dera Ghazi Khan with a genuine desire to promote and develop the game, nurturing talented players at the district and regional levels. However, his aspirations were quickly dashed by the realities he encountered.
“Unfortunately, what I have experienced is very frustrating,” he said. “A player who works hard throughout the year and is a good talent is overlooked in the final selection to pick a player who uses political and other connections to get in.”
The fast bowler expressed that he was not surprised by Pakistan’s recent 0-2 loss to Bangladesh, acknowledging that Pakistan cricket had reached a troubling low point. He lamented the lack of progress and attributed it directly to the deeply flawed system in place.
“Even if coaches who are sincere want to do something, they are helpless in the existing system,” Shabbir said. His resignation serves as a stark warning about the state of Pakistan cricket and the urgent need for reform at all levels.
