Watch: "We found a messiah" — Azhar Mahmood exposes Pakistan cricket management ahead of ENG vs PAK 1st Test

The former Test head coach of the Pakistan side, Azhar Mahmood, has exposed the Pakistan cricket management ahead of the first Test match of the side against England at Leeds. He criticized how former players and pundits treat the national players.

Mahmood specifically pointed out the lack of respect and systemic instability surrounding newly reappointed Test captain, Babar Azam, and the left-arm pacer of the side, Shaheen Shah Afridi. He laid out several harsh truths regarding the internal state of Pakistan Cricket. 

Ex-Pakistan coach says board and pundits keep "pulling down" their only superstar

The former coach of the side said that Aqib Javed gave an interview on social media. He claimed that when he became the chief selector, they wanted to drop Babar and Afridi.

Watch Azhar Mahmood's comments here- 

“I wasn’t part of that. Yeah, it happened overnight. Overnight, we found a messiah who was going to sort out Pakistan cricket. The day before the first Test match, we were told that the guys who wouldn’t pass the fitness test were going to go back home. All the spinners went home because they didn’t pass the fitness test.” Mahmood said this in the video on Sky Sports Cricket.  

“We lost the Test match, and suddenly Aqib Javed had this interview on social media. He became the chief selector, and then Jason was there, and they said, ‘Drop Shaheen, drop Babar.’ He refused to do that, and they went back to the chairman.” He addressed.

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Mahmood claimed that he didn’t want to play on the 10-day surface but was forced to. He also felt that they got the aftershocks of the series in the current state.

“The chairman said, ‘Okay, now you will decide the final XI, not the head coach and captain.’ So that’s what happened. The fan comes in, and you play on a 10-day-old pitch, and you end up winning that series. Unfortunately, you won that series, and you can see the aftershocks of that series now, where Pakistan cricket is standing.” Mahmood added.

Babar Azam's hand injury latest — Will he be fit for the Headingley series opener?

Babar remains in serious doubt for the Leeds Test with Pakistan yet to make a late selection call as he recovers from the finger injury. He has been nursing an impact injury to his right hand that he picked up during the second Test against West Indies before being stuck at the same place in the three-day warm-up clash against the Professional County Club XI in Beckenham.

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“Whether he plays or not will be a decision taken on match day. He did a few throwdowns and some batting practice today. But we'll have to follow medical advice for it.” Mohammad Abbas gave an update on the fitness of the veteran.

Babar’s absence could push Salman Ali Agha to take charge in the opening Test match.

Pakistan fans react to Mahmood's blunt PCB comments ahead of the Leeds Test

The fans of the Pakistan side showed their views on Mahmood's comments on social media platforms-