The period when Pakistan was a dominant force in cricket now seems like a distant past. In the 1980s and 1990s, iconic players such as Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Javed Miandad, and Saqlain Mushtaq instilled fear in the hearts of international opponents, particularly their longstanding rivals, India. These athletes characterized an era of supremacy; however, the significance of cricket in Pakistan has gradually diminished, and the signs of this decline are evident.

The recent performances of the national team present a concerning narrative of inconsistency. Early eliminations in the group stages of the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the Champions Trophy highlight this troubling trend. Additionally, a home Test series loss to Bangladesh has further revealed the team's difficulties. Although a Test series win against England on home turf provides a rare moment of success, this achievement was marred by a last-minute decision to change the pitch conditions, raising more questions than it resolved.

The underwhelming performances of the Pakistan cricket team have drawn significant scrutiny towards the administrators of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In the last three to four years, the PCB has seen a constant shift in leadership, with several individuals assuming the role of chairman. Prominent figures such as Ramiz Raja, Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf, and Mohsin Naqvi have each led the organization, yet a sense of stability remains elusive.

Ehsan Mani, who held the position of PCB chairman from 2018 to 2021, shared his insights on the current situation in an interview with Hindustan Times. He asserted that Pakistan possesses ample talent; the challenge lies in establishing order within the cricketing framework. Mani believes that the potential exists; it is merely a question of organizing the system effectively.

"There is no lack of talent in Pakistan. The focus should be on reevaluating how to advance Pakistan cricket. I initiated this process by introducing a new format for first-class cricket."

Pakistan is currently experiencing an abundance of cricket; however, the quality of the matches leaves much to be desired. It is essential for stakeholders to revisit the foundational framework of cricket in Pakistan to ensure it meets contemporary standards and requirements. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) must conduct a thorough review of the entire cricketing structure within the country to guarantee that high-quality, competitive cricket is being played, which is unfortunately not the case at present.

In recent times, the captaincy of Pakistan's cricket team has resembled a game of musical chairs, with leadership shifting from Babar Azam to Shaheen Shah Afridi and back to Babar again. This transition occurred between the 2023 ODI World Cup and the subsequent T20 World Cup held eight months later in the USA and the Caribbean, highlighting a troubling lack of stability at the helm. Compounding this instability, coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie have resigned from their respective positions with the white-ball and red-ball teams. Gillespie has been particularly vocal in his criticism, openly questioning Aaqib Javed’s appointment as coach and the selection process that led to it.

Mani acknowledges the pressing need for consistency, which must originate from the leadership. "Clearly, policy direction must come from the top, along with adequate support for the team, including coaches and managers. Consistency and clarity regarding the team's future are imperative," he remarked.

"Hopefully, the current chairman, who has been in position for some time, will begin to share his insights and proposals. However, there must be a consensus on the path forward for Pakistan cricket. This should not rest on the shoulders of a single individual; it should be a collective responsibility of the entire Pakistan Cricket Board," the 79-year-old added.

Recently, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi made a notable disclosure: the current PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, confessed to him that he lacks a comprehensive understanding of cricket. Afridi further asserted that the state of the sport in Pakistan is dire, comparing it to a precarious situation.

'Disappointing how ICC managed Champions Trophy hosting'

Pakistan hosted the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 using a hybrid model, with matches involving India relocated to Dubai. However, the tournament schedule was revealed only two months in advance, a situation that left former PCB chairman Ehsan Mani dissatisfied with the ICC's handling of the eight-team event.

"It is quite disappointing how this was managed. The ICC bears the responsibility. When they assigned events to India and Pakistan, they should have considered the current relations between the two nations. Therefore, it was imperative for the ICC to address the event and any arising issues well before the tournament commenced," stated Mani, who held the position of ICC President from 2003 to 2006.

"This matter was left until the last minute. It was entirely inappropriate for the ICC not to have resolved this much earlier. They should have brought both boards together to formulate an ICC solution, rather than relying on a PCB or BCCI solution."

Mani dismissed assertions that India had an advantage by playing all their matches in Dubai during the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025. Although India emerged victorious, there were concerns regarding this perceived benefit, suggesting that Rohit Sharma and his team had an undue advantage from the familiar conditions. Nevertheless, Mani remained skeptical of this viewpoint.

The playing conditions were uniform for all teams participating in the event. While the BCCI conducted all its matches at a single location, this decision was made by the ICC from the outset. Critiquing this arrangement post-event is unproductive, Mani stated.

Prior to the Champions Trophy, the ICC announced that matches between India and Pakistan scheduled in either nation during the 2024-2027 rights cycle would be held at neutral venues. Consequently, Pakistan will host its T20 World Cup 2026 matches in Sri Lanka rather than India, representing a notable change in the tournament's organization.

"This issue does not solely rest with the ICC; it is primarily a decision made by the BCCI, isn't it? They opted not to tour Pakistan. Pakistan had agreed to participate in the World Cup, but the BCCI failed to fulfill the commitments made during my tenure as chairman of the PCB. The ICC minutes reflect assurances that the BCCI and the Government of India would facilitate the issuance of appropriate visas for Pakistani journalists, fans, and officials," Mani explained.

"These assurances were not realized. Therefore, the responsibility lies with the BCCI. Currently, Mr. Jay Shah serves as the chairman of the ICC and has been significantly involved with Indian cricket. It is his duty to ensure that such situations do not recur."

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