Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has shown his unhappiness over the performance of veteran players of the national side and urged the selection committee to provide more opportunity to young and rising cricketers.

The PCB is under increased pressure after Pakistan’s poor results and a series of emergency measures on the team’s tour of England.

More changes are allegedly on the cards for Naqvi as the board reviews the performance of older and experienced players. Pakistan have already been joined by Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and opener Imam-ul-Haq, while head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been given leave. Several additional players have been left out of the team.

The PCB chairman who took over the board in February 2024 is now advocating for more focus on Under-19 and junior players who might be the backbone of Pakistan’s side in the future.

The new approach from the PCB is expected to provide young players more regular chances and more support at the international level. The selection committee has also been told to be transparent and not to keep offering chances to seasoned players who do not perform.

It comes after a string of poor results in the big competitions and recent Test defeats in England for Pakistan. The first Test in Leeds was won by Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs, and the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs.

The PCB’s recent policy suggests a possible shift away from renowned names, and rebuilding the national side around younger players.

Naqvi is also scheduled to have more meetings on other adjustments in the coming days as the board looks to improve Pakistan’s performances and build a stronger pipeline of future players.

Most of the rivers in Punjab are under normal water flow, while low-level flooding continues at Tarbela and Kalabagh on the Indus River.

Water levels in the Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej rivers are normal, said the spokesperson of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

The spokesperson claimed that the water flow in hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, Nullah Palkhu and other streams is also normal. But there is a low-level flood in Nullah Deg, an important tributary of Ravi river. The Nullah Deg had a discharge of water to the extent of 15,500 cusecs.

The PDMA said flow of water at Kalabagh has touched 321,000 cusecs while 250,000 cusecs was recorded at Tarbela. Tarbela dam is completely filled and Mangla dam has attained 77% of its storage capacity.

PDMA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa encouraged the residents to take precautionary precautions in view of the weather and flood situation and avoid recreational activities near rivers, canals and streams.

He also asked the public to take extra care of youngsters and absolutely prevent them from swimming or bathing in rivers, streams and other water bodies.

Nepal’s disaster management authorities said the dead toll from severe floods and landslides in the country has grown to 1,050 with over 4,000 people still missing including 583 foreign nationals.

Rescue crews are still conducting search operations in remote and seriously hit areas utilising helicopters and heavy machinery and excavators to reach anyone stranded by the tragedy.

At least 639 people were stuck at damaged hydropower installations, and about 300 workers were believed stranded inside tunnels, Nepal’s Disaster Management Authority said.

Emergency crews are rushing to reach those still blocked off by floodwaters, landslides and debris, with more than 11,000 people rescued so far.

The floods have created around 2.2 million tonnes of debris, including rubble from buildings, rocks and sludge, according to preliminary estimates by the United Nations Development Program.

Rescue crews are concentrating on isolated settlements and damaged hydropower plants where people are still believed to be trapped, while relief and recovery activities are continuing.