In a video on his YouTube channel, the former cricketer expressed disappointment with the state of Pakistan cricket, stating, “The PCB should draw lessons from the BCCI regarding their professionalism, team structure, selectors, captain, and coaches. These elements are crucial for a team to be number one and to excel globally. If we were truly competitive, Pakistan cricket wouldn't be in this position. The suffering of Pakistan cricket is due to your arrogance.”
This critique comes after India achieved a commanding 280-run victory over Bangladesh in Chennai, contrasting sharply with Pakistan's recent performances. Just weeks prior, a similar Bangladeshi team secured a decisive series win against Pakistan, underscoring persistent problems within the squad.
The struggles of Pakistan cricket have been apparent for a while. Under Babar Azam's captaincy, the team experienced disappointment in the 2022 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka and failed to advance beyond the Super 4 stage in the next edition. Their difficulties continued as they exited the ODI World Cup 2023 in the group stage.
In light of these defeats, the PCB made notable changes, with Babar stepping down from captaincy to Shaheen Shah Afridi, only to be restored as the white-ball captain months before the T20 World Cup. Shan Masood retained the Test captaincy, but the team's performance has been erratic, resulting in series losses to Australia, Ireland, and England.
The T20 World Cup was another disappointment for Pakistan, as they lost in a thrilling Super Over against co-hosts the USA, leading to elimination following a defeat to India.
To address these ongoing issues, the PCB has announced a high-level Connection Camp aimed at creating a cohesive vision for the future of Pakistan cricket. Scheduled for Monday, the camp will include nine players, such as Babar, Fakhar Zaman, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, along with coaching staff members including head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten.
