ISLAMABAD: The ICC Champions Trophy is a short and high-stakes tournament where teams have only three matches to secure a spot in the knockout stage. Given Pakistan’s recent performances, particularly in the Tri-Nation series, expectations were already low regarding their qualification for the semi-finals. Facing two formidable opponents in the first three matches, Pakistan’s struggles were evident.
However, the issues plaguing Pakistan cricket extend far beyond the Champions Trophy 2025. The core group, comprising Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, has been repeatedly exposed in major tournaments. Pakistan failed to reach the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024, despite recalling retired players like Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim and reinstating Babar as captain. Before that, the team finished fifth in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Pakistani players often improve until they reach the national team but then plateau due to a lack of further development. This cycle of stagnation, exclusion, and frequent replacements prevents the team from building a solid core
Historically, Pakistan has never failed to qualify for the knockout stages in three consecutive ICC tournaments—until now. This marks a historic low for Pakistan cricket. To reverse this decline, five critical issues need urgent attention:
1. Politicisation of the PCB
Since April 2022, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has seen four different chairmen in just three years. The current chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, took office in February 2024 and has brought some stability through key achievements such as securing Pakistan’s hosting rights for the Champions Trophy and fast-tracking stadium renovations. However, the frequent changes in team leadership continue to disrupt long-term planning.
Under Naqvi’s tenure alone, Pakistan is likely to appoint its sixth head coach if Saqlain Mushtaq is selected. Similarly, if Shadab Khan or Agha Salman is named captain, it will mark the third captaincy change in a short span.
Despite significant financial investments in stadium renovations, critical infrastructure remains incomplete. The roof of Gaddafi Stadium is still unfinished. During the Australia vs Afghanistan match, the ground staff failed to dry the pitch in a reasonable time due to a lack of necessary equipment. This damaged Pakistan’s global image, raising questions about why ICC awarded the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy when basic infrastructure remains inadequate.
Until Pakistan achieves political stability and ensures non-interference in the PCB, such administrative instability will persist. Cricket thrives on merit and professionalism, and even minor oversights—like inadequate drainage systems—can lead to international embarrassment.
2. Instability in team management
In the past three years, Pakistan has cycled through nine coaches, six chief selectors, and 26 selection committee members. The aftermath of the Champions Trophy humiliation is expected to bring further changes in coaching, selection, and captaincy.
While adjustments are necessary due to past missteps and an upcoming tough tour of New Zealand, constant reshuffling reflects deeper instability and indecisiveness within the management. Long-term planning is absent, and individuals responsible for defining team roles and backing players have not been given sustained tenures. Pakistan must establish a stable framework and adhere to a structured plan at least until the 2027 World Cup.
3. Fitness issues
Pakistan’s fitness standards lag significantly behind top international teams. The team dropped more than five catches against India, while Virat Kohli, known for his peak fitness, effortlessly converted singles into doubles and doubles into triples.
Former team director Mohammad Hafeez criticised Babar Azam and Mickey Arthur for neglecting fitness standards, revealing that when players’ fat levels were tested, most had body fat percentages 1.5 times above the acceptable limit. Some players could not even complete a basic two-kilometre trial run. Hafeez pointed out that poor fitness inevitably translates into poor performances.
Additionally, multiple players have competed in ICC tournaments despite carrying injuries, either due to mismanagement or personal insecurities about losing their spots. Pakistan must establish and enforce strict fitness standards to compete at the highest level.
4. Weak domestic cricket structure
When fans and analysts demand changes to Pakistan’s struggling squad, team management often defends selections by citing the lack of strong replacements. This reflects a deeper problem—the domestic system is failing to produce quality backups.
Shaheen Afridi, once an elite fast bowler, has struggled in white-ball cricket, becoming predictable and ineffective in death overs. When asked why Shaheen was not being dropped, Mohammad Amir bluntly stated, “We don’t have a replacement. If we had someone better, he would be playing.”
Prospects like Akif Javed, Mohammad Ali, and Mohammad Wasim Jr have emerged, but they are still raw talents, not finished products. Pakistan needs a robust development system that grooms players to be match-ready for international cricket rather than throwing them into the deep end prematurely.
5. Lack of player development and grooming
Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam were once considered the next superstars of world cricket. However, their recent struggles suggest a failure in long-term development. Both should have evolved into world-class performers like Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith, yet their progress has stalled.
Babar Azam, despite his technical skills, has shown a limited ability to adapt. He once cited AB de Villiers as his idol but has failed to emulate his constant evolution. Babar still struggles against spinners, lacks power-hitting ability in the powerplay, and has a predictable batting approach that allows bowlers to contain him easily.
This stagnation is a pattern across the entire squad. Pakistani players often improve until they reach the national team but then plateau due to a lack of further development. This cycle of stagnation, exclusion, and frequent replacements prevents the team from building a solid core.
Conclusion: Is there hope?
Pakistan cricket is at a historic low, failing to qualify for the knockout stages in three consecutive ICC events. While there is no overnight fix, addressing the five core issues—politicisation, management instability, poor fitness, weak domestic cricket, and lack of player development—can set the foundation for a revival.
Pakistan needs long-term planning, stability in leadership, and investment in domestic infrastructure. If these systemic flaws remain unaddressed, the decline will only deepen. However, if Pakistan takes decisive steps now, a turnaround before the 2027 World Cup is still possible.
The writer is a cricket commentator based in Islamabad.
