Did PCB Really Say Goodbye to Waqar, Misbah, Malik, Saqlain, and Sarfaraz as Mentors?

New Delhi, May 13 (IAMS) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially ended its association with several of the country’s legendary cricket personalities — Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Sarfaraz Ahmed — who served as mentors for domestic teams.

This surprising decision has sparked significant debate within Pakistan’s cricket community, particularly given the backdrop of poor performance results and increasing financial constraints facing the board.

The five former athletes, who joined PCB’s mentorship program in August of the previous year, were tasked with enhancing the quality of domestic cricket for both men and women by collaborating closely with regional and departmental teams.

However, the PCB has now concluded that this financial investment did not produce the anticipated results, especially considering Pakistan’s faltering domestic cricket structure, which is frequently cited as a factor in the national team’s erratic performances internationally.

Sources indicate that the PCB was investing close to five million Pakistani rupees (approximately USD 18,000) per mentor, a figure that faced harsh criticism from media outlets and former players due to the minimal progress seen in domestic cricket.

“The PCB chairman has communicated to the mentors that their services are no longer necessary as the expected outcomes were not achieved,” a source informed www.telecomasia.net.

“The substantial financial commitment also raises concerns, with worries that the International Cricket Council’s annual funding to the PCB could be decreased. Additionally, there are fears that upcoming bids for television rights for Pakistan's international matches from 2028 to 2032 may be lower, further straining the board’s financial capabilities.”

This financial pressure has compelled the PCB to reevaluate numerous high-cost positions, including mentorship roles initially intended to nurture grassroots talent. Despite their illustrious playing careers, the mentors' contributions in these developmental roles did not mirror their prior successes.

Among the five, Shoaib Malik had previously notified the PCB of his intention to withdraw, citing scheduling conflicts due to commercial obligations. Malik faced criticism for appearing as a TV analyst during the Pakistan Super League and Champions Trophy, despite his mentorship duties. “We are not PCB’s employees,” Malik stated during a media appearance, defending his dual roles and asserting that his media work did not conflict with his mentorship responsibilities.

Nonetheless, the PCB allowed all five mentors to continue their media endeavors, a choice that attracted further criticism, particularly as they derived substantial additional income from television contracts. Critics argued that this leniency blurred accountability and diminished the effectiveness of the mentorship initiative.

Among the dismissed mentors, Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed may still have roles within the PCB framework. Misbah, Pakistan’s most successful Test captain with 26 victories in 56 matches, is reportedly being considered for the head coach position of the red-ball team. Sarfaraz may also be reassigned to a different role.