Nasser Hussain has criticised Pakistan's dramatic changes ahead of the final Test against England and feels the cricket board's decisions have made the team a "laughing stock." Pakistan, 2-0 down after heavy defeats at Headingley and Lord's, have axed seven players for the finale at Edgbaston from September 9, including opener Imam-ul-Haq, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, spinner Ali Usman and seamer Khurram Shahzad. Of the seven replacements, only two have played at Test level before in batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal. Pakistan also removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul, with white-ball coach Mike Hesson in charge for the remainder of the tour.
Hussain, who spoke in frustration during Pakistan's 194-run loss at Lord's about how the tourists had faded as a force, said on the latest Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, as he and Michael Atherton were joined by Cricinfo senior editor Osman Samiuddin: "It is classic 'how you don't build a team' and fans deserve a little bit better. "With the great teams, it's all about the greater purpose - whether that's Sir Viv Richards and Sir Clive Lloyd with West Indies bringing the islands together or the great Australia side playing for the baggy green cap under Steve Waugh. "You create a side by making players feel wanted, so the ignominy of sending senior players home - okay, Rizwan has played a couple of bad shots, but he would give his heart and soul for Pakistan cricket.
"However well they go at Edgbaston, the players and coaches will know that the first time they fail that this may well happen to them. "The point of an administration is to alleviate pressure, not put more pressure on. I cannot see how an administration cannot see that.
This may be a stroke of genius but it hasn't worked in the past, so why should it work now?" Aaqib Javed, the Pakistan Cricket Board's director of high performance, told a TV station in his homeland that drastic action had to be taken as "the world is laughing at us because we can't even compete". Javed also launched an astonishing attack on Imam, saying the 30-year-old would face an inquiry after not batting in either innings at Lord's due to a calf issue. He said to Geo: "The Imam injury is a big question mark, and a deep disappointment.
Players in the past used to get injuries but used to put on casts and still tried [to play]. "We'll take action against this. How is it possible that a pulled muscle ruled you out of batting in both innings?
He should have tried and fought. He'll have to face an inquiry. I can't say he faked it, but a muscle pull like that cannot stop you batting altogether." Hussain said: "I don't think after Headingley that the world was laughing at Pakistan.
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