Shoaib Malik steps down from his rile as PCB mentor, throwing the future of the other four in serious doubt.
Shoaib Malik quits as PCB mentor citing other ‘commitments’.
Malik stated that he would fulfil his remaining contractual commitments but will not serve as a mentor for the upcoming season after submitting his resignation to the board two weeks ago. Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Waqar Younis are the other instructors.
“This was not an easy choice, but after reflecting on my commitments, I realised that juggling multiple responsibilities would prevent me from giving my best – both to Pakistan cricket and to my other professional and personal priorities,” Malik said. “To ensure fairness to all, I believe this is the right time to transition. Working with some of Pakistan’s most talented cricketers has been an immensely rewarding experience, one I will always cherish.”
There is growing conjecture on the destiny of each mentor at the moment of Malik’s departure as mentor. According to media sources on the day Malik announced his resignation, the PCB had chosen to fire all five mentors in an effort to reduce the workload after last year’s record-breaking domestic season. The Champions Cup, which was marketed as the crown jewel of the domestic season the previous year and caused players to be withdrawn from Test practice in advance of the England series, may not actually happen.
There was controversy around the mentors’ August nomination last year, especially after it was revealed that they were receiving financial compensation. The five reportedly have three-year contracts and make around PKR 5 million (around $18,000 USD) a month. The fact that their earnings are greater than those paid to all but the best Pakistani cricket players—the category A players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan—in the central contracts pool has drawn criticism.