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Contrary to Shoaib Malik's resignation claim, PCB sacks all-rounder and other legends appointed as domestic mentors
Former Pakistan captains Waqar Younis and Shoaib Malik were among five iconic players appointed as domestic cricket mentors by the PCB last year. Reuters/AP
Former all-rounder Shoaib Malik was among five icons of Pakistan cricket who had been appointed as domestic cricket mentors by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in August last year, ahead of the inaugural Champions One-Day Cup. Less than a year after the appointment, Malik announced his resignation from the role , citing 'multiple responsibilities' that were preventing him from giving his best.
However, it turns out that all five mentors have been sacked by the board, reducing Malik's resignation to something of a face-saving measure for the iconic cricketers. A source quoted by news agency Press Trust of India said PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had been briefed about the performance of the mentors during a board meeting, and had arrived at the conclusion that the money being spent on them was not justified.
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Malik and other legendary cricketers such as Waqar Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq and Sarfaraz Ahmed were being paid PKR 50 lakh in their roles and had been asked to dedicate a certain number of days in their capacity as mentors in addition to their media assignments.
'Money spent on mentors was not being justified': PCB
'Apparently, at the briefing, the consensus was that the money spent on the mentors was not being justified as they had not delivered anything of value until now,' the source told PTI.
The PCB also wasn't happy with Malik playing in the national T20 championship for Sialkot as captain instead of focusing on his role as mentor.
Malik, who had made his last appearance for Pakistan in November 2021, had recently made a couple of appearances for Quetta Gladiators in the 10th season of the Pakistan Super League before it was suspended due to a military conflict with India.
While Malik has made his decision to 'resign' public by posting it on his X account, in which he thanked PCB chairman Naqvi as well as former teammate Wahab Riaz, there hasn't been any such statement from pace legend Waqar, spin icon Saqlain or the other mentors.
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