Once feared for its unpredictability, the Pakistan men’s cricket team now finds itself in a state of disarray, both on and off the field. The team’s past successes were built on their ability to perform spectacularly one day and collapse the next. However, this same unpredictability now plagues their administration, as internal politics, constant leadership changes, and a fractured domestic structure have left the team directionless and fragmented.
At the heart of the problem lies a lack of stability. Cricket in Pakistan has become entangled with political instability, as successive regimes have repeatedly reshuffled the PCB leadership. In the past three and a half years, Pakistan has had four different PCB chairmen, each new administration undoing the work of the previous one. This constant upheaval creates confusion, disrupts continuity, and prevents the team from building momentum.
Current PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, a businessman-turned-politician, has faced criticism for his lack of cricketing expertise. Despite promising to deliver, the team’s poor performance in the ICC Champions Trophy under his leadership has raised doubts. His political affiliations only add fuel to the fire, with many accusing him of exacerbating the chaos.
The intertwining of politics with cricket administration has been a long-standing issue in Pakistan. Historically, the country’s cricket leadership has been subject to political whims, with changes in government leading to the appointment of new PCB chairmen. This has created a lack of continuity, with each new regime imposing its own policies, often to the detriment of the game.
The resignation of coaches like Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, citing power struggles with the PCB, highlights the dysfunction within the system. These disruptions affect not just the coaching staff but the players as well, with selection decisions and team dynamics constantly in flux.
Once a cricketing powerhouse, Pakistan is now in steep decline. The team’s fall from grace is a direct result of the administrative chaos and political interference that has permeated every level of the game. For Pakistan to reclaim its place among the world’s elite, cricket must be freed from the grip of politics. Until then, the country’s cricketing future remains uncertain, with no clear path forward.
