The downfall of cricket in Pakistan has led to growing concerns among the sport’s fraternity, with former players and experts worried about the game not moving “in the right direction” in the country.
Pakistan were eliminated in the early stages of the last three ICC white-ball tournaments — the 2023 ODI World Cup, the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the Champions Trophy at home this year.
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Expressing his concern, former Pakistan captain and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for not making the right calls and forcing frequent changes in the team.
“I would think that the cricket board now needs to learn from its mistakes and not repeat the same mistakes we have made in the last two years,” Inzamam told reporters, as quoted by local publication ‘Dawn’.
“In the past two years, the performance of the Pakistan team has been on a decline. If we don’t work in the right direction, we will continue to fall further,” he said.
Pakistan are currently ranked third in ODIs and seventh in T20Is. In ICC Test rankings, they are in the bottom half at number seven.
“Instead of making too many changes, we need to think carefully about where things are going wrong,” Inzamam, who was forced to step down as chief selector in 2023, added. “If there are constant changes, players won’t gain the confidence they need, and the situation will remain the same.”
Inzamam also threw his weight behind the under-fire former captain Babar Azam, who has been going through a lean patch in all forms of cricket and being heavily criticised.
“Babar Azam is a top player. Everyone goes through a rough patch, but the national team hasn’t been playing good cricket for the past few months. Trust the management and the players and work together to identify where the mistakes are,” he concluded.