PCB to end mentorship roles for ex-players: sources
According to sources, the move, directed by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, will see the board part ways with former national cricketers Misbah-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shoaib Malik.
These individuals had been appointed last year as mentors for the Champions Cup under a three-year contract.
While no formal announcement has been made, the decision has already been approved at the top level.
Shoaib Malik had voluntarily resigned two weeks ago, stepping down ahead of the board's final call. He announced his decision on his official Instagram page.
The other four mentors are expected to be officially informed in the coming days.
The rationale behind the decision remains undisclosed, and the PCB has not issued an official statement.
The mentorship panel was announced on August 26, 2024, as part of a performance-focused revamp, with each former player assigned to a domestic team.
Reports suggest each mentor was earning a monthly salary of Rs 5 million.
According to sources, Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed are not being considered for any alternative roles within the PCB at this stage.
This development comes alongside other major structural changes at the board.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mike Hesson was appointed as the new head coach of the Pakistan national team, while Aqib Javed was named Director of the High-Performance Centre.
The restructuring reflects the PCB's intent to realign its domestic and international strategies ahead of a packed calendar that includes ICC events and bilateral commitments.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Iqbal urges joint push for $100b exports
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal, on Saturday, called upon the government and private sector to work shoulder to shoulder in achieving an ambitious target of $100 billion in exports under what he termed an "export emergency." Speaking at a ceremony titled Marka-e-Haq and 78 years of Independence Day celebrations – Uraan Pakistan – at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Iqbal said Pakistan's economic stability hinged upon export-led growth, tax reforms, and foreign direct investment. He stressed that the business community was the main driver of the economy, and the private sector would play a decisive role in steering the country out of past cycles of instability. The minister said eight sectors had been identified as central to Pakistan's export expansion plan, including hospitality, IT, mining, manpower, blue economy, and creative industries. He urged FPCCI to immediately constitute eight joint working groups with the government to prepare actionable strategies in each sector. "Pakistan has faced severe economic crises in the past two years, but today international institutions are recognising our macroeconomic turnaround," Iqbal said. "We have to ensure that this turnaround becomes sustainable by focusing on exports and productivity." Iqbal likened the current phase to Pakistan's "fourth flight," referring to earlier failed attempts at sustained economic take-off. "The success of this Uraan depends on learning from the past three crashes. If we repeat old mistakes, we will fail again. But if we innovate, reform, and stand united, this time Pakistan will truly fly," he remarked. He stressed that Karachi remained the heart of Pakistan's economy, with FPCCI representing industries and businesses that fuel national growth. He further noted that the tax-to-GDP ratio remained among the lowest in the world, underscoring the urgent need to broaden the tax base. State Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Kheal Das Kohistani, also addressed the gathering. He praised the business community for its resilience, saying its role was crucial in strengthening Pakistan's economy. FPCCI President Atif Ikram Shaikh assured full support to the government's export-led strategy. He said global institutions' positive reports had boosted confidence in Pakistan's economy and that the private sector would serve as the government's partner in achieving the $100 billion target. "Through research-based policy inputs, FPCCI will continue providing feedback to the government to align strategies with ground realities," Shaikh noted. He added that new opportunities under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode would help accelerate growth. Senior Vice President FPCCI Saqib Fayaz and industrialist Bashir Jan Mohammed also underscored the need for closer cooperation between policymakers and businesses to sustain momentum. SM Tanveer, Patron-in-Chief of the United Business Group (UBG), said Pakistan's $40 billion trade deficit could only be addressed through aggressive export promotion. "The solution is export, export, and only export," he declared. Tanveer highlighted FPCCI's role in pushing down electricity tariffs from Rs48 per unit to Rs31 per unit, though he added the struggle was ongoing to bring rates further down to 9 cents (Rs26 per unit). Lowering interest rates from the current 11% to 6-7%, he said, would save the government Rs3,500 billion annually in debt servicing. He urged the government to focus on "district economy," giving local leadership authority over regional economic planning. "Every district in Pakistan can export its own product and earn foreign exchange. Decentralisation will strengthen the economy," he argued. Separately, FPCCI also hosted the PakistanEthiopia Business Council meeting. Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan, Jemal Beker Abdula, noted that Ethiopia's economy was growing at 8.2% annually, presenting opportunities for Pakistani exporters. The FPCCI president reaffirmed that under the government's "Look Africa" initiative, Pakistan would increase exports to African markets. "Pakistan and Ethiopia hold immense untapped trade potential, and FPCCI will act as the government's arm in realising it," he said. Chairman of the PakistanEthiopia Business Council, Ibrahim Khalid Tawab, added that African markets, particularly Ethiopia, were highly attractive for Pakistani exports.
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PCB still paying CC mentors
All five mentors pose with the captains of the Champions Cup sides. Photo. PCB Despite the termination of the mentors' positions, four former cricketers are still being paid their salaries. According to details, last year the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed five former national team players — Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, and Saqlain Mushtaq — as mentors for a new project, the Champions Cup. They were each paid a monthly salary of PKR 5 million. However, in recent months, the decision was made to discontinue the Champions Cup, meaning the mentors were no longer needed. Shoaib Malik had already resigned, but the other four former cricketers continue to receive their monthly salaries. Sources revealed that the PCB has sent termination letters to Saqlain Mushtaq and Waqar Younis. However, under their contracts, they are entitled to four months' salary, during which time the board may still assign them work. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq have been retained by the board on a permanent basis, but so far, they have not been given any new responsibilities. Sources also said that there is a possibility of their monthly salaries being reduced, and they have already been verbally informed about this. It is worth noting that all five mentors had faced continuous criticism for receiving PKR 5 million per month. Initially, the PCB waited for the mentors to resign voluntarily, but under the contract, early termination entitled them to four months' salary (PKR 20 million), so no one left their positions. Consequently, the authorities decided to terminate two of them while retaining the services of the other two permanently. Central contracts overhaul The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to introduce major changes to the new central contracts for players, with significant reshuffling likely in Category D, sources revealed on Saturday. According to sources, discussions over the new contracts have entered the final stages, with several players set to be dropped and a number of new players likely to be included. While some players could also be handed central contracts for the first time. Consultations have already been held with coaches, the director of high performance, the finance department and the International cricket department. Sources confirmed that cricketers no longer part of any of the three formats will almost certainly be excluded. Among those unlikely to cut are Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Huraira, Haseebullah, Usman Khan and Mohammad Ali. On the other hand, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Sufyan Muqeem, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf and Fakhar Zaman are expected to be awarded central contracts. The names of Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz and Sahibzada Farhan have also been under discussion, with their inclusion a possibility. The current three-year financial model for central contracts is now in its final year. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will announce the new contracts officially after receiving approval from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. For the unversed, Pakistan's squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the ACC Men's Asia Cup 2025 is likely to be comprised of 18 players, three more than the usual number. According to the details, the national men's selection committee has started initial deliberation for the contingent and will now consult with T20I captain Salman Ali Agha and head coach Mike Hesson, who returned to the country earlier today after the white-ball series against West Indies. Sources further told that after the consultation between the selection committee, captain Agha and coach Hesson, the list of shortlisted will be sent for approval from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, with the formal announcement expected in the next two to three days. The insiders further revealed that the Pakistan squad for the upcoming assignments may be comprised of 18 players, with emerging pacers Salman Mirza and Ahmed Daniyal likely to be called up.
Business Recorder
9 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Downward trend persists on cotton market
LAHORE: The Spot Rate Committee of the Karachi Cotton Association on Saturday decreased the spot rate by Rs 100 per maund and closed it at Rs 16,200 per maund. Cotton Analyst Naseem Usman told Business Recorder that the local cotton market witnessed a mixed trend and the trading volume remained limited. He also told that the rate of new cotton in Sindh is in between Rs 16,200 to Rs 16,300 per maund and the rate of cotton in Punjab is in between Rs 16,200 to Rs 16,300 per maund. The rate of Phutti in Punjab is in between Rs 6,300 to Rs 7,400 per 40 kg and the rate of Phutti in Sindh is in between Rs 6,400 to Rs 7,400 per 40 kg. The rate of cotton in Balochistan is in between Rs 16,000 to Rs 16,200 per maund. The rate of Phutti in Balochistan is in between Rs 6,700 to Rs 7,600 per maund. Approximately, 1000 bales of Tando Adam, 800 bales of Sanghar were sold in between Rs 16,200 to Rs 16,400 per maund, 200 bales of Layyah, 200 bales of Khanewal, 200 bales of Kassowal were sold at Rs 16,200 per maund, 200 bales of Vehari were sold at Rs 16,250 per maund and 200 bales of Winder were sold at Rs 16,250 per maund. The Spot Rate Committee of the Karachi Cotton Association decreased the spot rate by Rs 100 per maund and closed it at Rs 16,200 per maund. Polyester Fiber was available at Rs 330 per kg. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
