Political invasion blamed for Pakistan cricket's downfall
1. Chaos and chronic instability within PCB management is reflected in on-field performances, says Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi
**PAKISTAN CRICKET**: Pakistan cricket has gifted its fans several unforgettable moments, including the 1992 ODI World Cup victory, the 2009 T20 World Cup triumph, and the dramatic 10-wicket win over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup. However, recent times have cast a shadow over the sport, with the national team's performances sparking concerns about political interference and nepotism affecting their success.
The team’s recent struggles began with the Asia Cup 2023 and continued with their elimination from the ODI World Cup 2023, where they won only four out of nine matches. Their performance deteriorated further with a loss in the away Test series against Australia and a recent whitewash by Bangladesh in a two-match series held in Rawalpindi. This defeat marked Pakistan’s worst Test ranking in nearly six decades, falling to eighth place.
The current chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, also serves as the interior minister amid rising militant attacks in the country. Over the past two years, Pakistan cricket has seen significant instability, with four coaches, three board heads, and three captains coming and going, reflecting a trend of political interference, according to experts.
Cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan, with players celebrated as national heroes. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who captained the team to the 1992 World Cup win, launched his political career on the back of his cricketing success. Now jailed on charges he claims are politically motivated, Khan has criticized the current state of cricket, alleging that political favorites have been appointed to positions of power within the PCB.
Khan has questioned Naqvi's qualifications and accused him of "annihilating" the team. He argued that corrupt and incompetent individuals in key positions have undermined the sport. Analysts point out that Khan, who campaigned against corruption, also relied on powerful institutions for his rise to power and made interventions in cricket's domestic structure.
Najam Sethi, a journalist who has led the PCB three times, has described the role as a "sinecure" for individuals lacking real cricketing knowledge. The last major triumph for Pakistan was the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, and they have not won a Test match at home since February 2021. The team reached the T20 World Cup final in 2022 but was eliminated in the first round of the 2024 event after surprising losses to the United States and Ireland.
The defeat to Bangladesh has intensified scrutiny of Naqvi and the political system behind him. Calls for Naqvi’s resignation have increased, with critics arguing that politically appointed PCB chairmen have repeatedly failed to improve the game.
Naqvi’s dual roles came under scrutiny when he recently held a press conference addressing both a terrorist attack and cricket. Rana Sanaullah Khan, a close aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, suggested that support for Naqvi might be waning, noting that his roles require full-time commitment.
