Pakistan Cricket: Struggles and Leadership Challenges Ahead

Once, Pakistan was a mighty force in cricket, especially in the 1980s and 1990s. Legendary players like Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar, and Javed Miandad frightened teams all around the world, particularly their biggest rival, India. But today, that glory seems like a long time ago.

Recent performances of the national team have been disappointing. They had early exits from the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the Champions Trophy. Even losing a home Test series to Bangladesh showed how far they had fallen. While a win against England brought a little joy, it was clouded by a last-minute decision to change the pitch, raising many questions.

The poor showing of the Pakistan cricket team has put heavy pressure on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials. In the last few years, the PCB has seen many leaders come and go—big names like Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi have all been in charge, but the team still struggles.

Ehsan Mani, who led the PCB from 2018 to 2021, shared his thoughts, saying there’s no lack of talent in Pakistan cricket. He believes the problem lies in how the cricket system is organized. “We have lots of cricket but not enough good cricket. We need to improve how cricket is played in Pakistan,” he said.

Lately, the captaincy of the team has been unstable, jumping from Babar Azam to Shaheen Afridi and back again. Coaches are also stepping down, leaving behind questions about leadership and direction.

Mani believes a strong leader at the top is crucial. “Leadership must come from the chairman and the board, and there should be a clear plan for the team,” he said.

Recently, Shahid Afridi, a former captain, made a bold claim, saying the current PCB chairman admitted he doesn’t know much about cricket. Afridi warned that Pakistan cricket is in a very bad position and needs accountability. However, Mani disagrees with this criticism, stressing the importance of strong leadership instead.

Concerns about Champions Trophy Hosting

Pakistan hosted the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy in 2025 but under unusual conditions, with some matches moved to Dubai. The schedule was announced only two months before the event, which Mani criticized. He felt the ICC should have planned better considering the current relationship between India and Pakistan.

Even after the tournament, there were discussions about whether India had unfair advantages from playing in familiar surroundings. Mani disagreed, saying the pitch was the same for everyone and the decision was made by the ICC.

Looking forward, matches between India and Pakistan during ICC events are now set to happen at neutral venues, with Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 games in Sri Lanka instead of India. Mani points out that this is a decision made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

In conclusion, there is still hope for Pakistan cricket if the PCB focuses on strong leadership and a clear vision for the future.