Ex-Pakistan player accuses PCB of ‘corruption’ over poor kits amid handshake row

Former Pakistan cricketer Atiq-uz-Zaman has sparked a fresh controversy by accusing the Pakistan Cricket Board of “corruption” in the procurement of team kits during the Asia Cup 2025. In a sharp social media post, he claimed Pakistan players were “sweating through low-quality kits” while other teams wore proper dry‑fit jerseys, alleging the tender was handed to “friends, not professionals.”

The allegation arrives as Pakistan navigates turbulence on and off the field. After a drama-filled build-up to the UAE game, Pakistan qualified for the Super Four but the kit outcry added a preventable headache. Zaman’s charge cuts to the basics: performance gear must keep players cool and dry, especially under Dubai’s heat. If fabrics trap sweat, performance and comfort suffer. That’s why elite teams typically mandate moisture‑wicking, breathable, tested materials with clear supplier accountability and quality control.

Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha, meanwhile, has focused on cricketing fixes, urging the side to sharpen batting in the middle overs ahead of the India clash on September 21. The team posted 146/9 against UAE before a late kick from Shaheen Shah Afridi; the batting lull between overs 7 and 15 remains a concern. Agha’s message is pragmatic: keep the bowling standards high, define roles for the middle‑overs engine, and convert quiet phases into 55–65 runs without damaging collapses.

The kits row, however, touches governance. Transparent tendering with published specs, third‑party testing, and delivery audits can prevent such flare-ups. If the supplier met a defined standard, the board can show it. If not, a swift corrective—improved stock, mid‑tournament replacements if feasible, and a post-event review—restores trust. Players sweating through heavy, clingy fabric is both a comfort issue and a brand problem in a broadcast-heavy event.

What to watch next:

• Whether PCB addresses the procurement claim with documentation on tender criteria, supplier credentials, and fabric testing.

• On-field, if Pakistan’s batting tempo in overs 7–15 lifts—through better strike rotation, match-up targeting against fifth bowlers, and clearer role definition.

• Off-field optics: keeping focus on cricket while ensuring basic high-performance needs—like quality kits—are non-negotiable.

A fierce rivalry and a high-heat tournament amplify every detail. Getting the gear and the middle-overs plan right could help Pakistan turn noise into momentum before the India showdown.