Pakistan cricket, once renowned for its glorious achievements like the ODI World Cup 1992 win, the T20 World Cup 2009 triumph, and the remarkable 10-wicket victory over India in the T20 World Cup 2021, is now facing a significant decline. Recent performances of the national team have ignited debates about the influence of politics in sports, with accusations of nepotism and mismanagement at the top levels contributing to the on-field failures.
The national team’s poor performance trajectory began with their disappointing run in the Asia Cup 2023, followed by their early exit from the ODI World Cup 2023, where they won only four out of nine matches. The situation worsened with a series of defeats, including losing an away Test series against Australia and being whitewashed by Bangladesh in a two-match series in Rawalpindi. This latest defeat dropped Pakistan to their lowest Test ranking in nearly six decades and marked their 10th winless home Test in a row, deepening the disappointment among fans.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently chaired by Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the interior minister amidst a surge in militant attacks. Over the past two years, Pakistan cricket has seen a revolving door of four coaches, three board heads, three captains, and multiple domestic competition formats, driven by the whims of politicians. Cricket journalist and former PCB media manager Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi commented on the situation, stating, “When we have chaos and chronic instability within the management of the board, it will reflect on-field performances.”
Cricket is immensely popular in Pakistan, transcending social divides and making players national heroes. The sport’s cultural and political significance is profound, as exemplified by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who launched his political career following his success as an international cricketer and leading Pakistan to victory in the 1992 World Cup. However, Khan, currently jailed on charges he claims are politically motivated, criticized the current PCB management, accusing them of favoritism and incompetence.
Nepotism and patronage are widespread issues in Pakistan, with positions often awarded based on connections rather than merit. This practice has permeated the PCB, with successive ruling regimes appointing their chosen individuals as PCB chairmen. Najam Sethi, a journalist appointed three times to run the PCB, described the role as a “sinecure” meant to enhance reputations without genuine expertise or knowledge of the game.
Pakistan’s last significant achievement in cricket was winning the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. Since February 2021, they have not won a Test match at home, and their recent performances, including early exits in major tournaments, have been disappointing. The defeat to Bangladesh has intensified scrutiny of Naqvi and the system that installed him, with calls for his resignation growing louder.
The incongruity of Naqvi’s dual roles was starkly highlighted when he addressed both a terrorist attack and cricket issues in a recent press conference. Rana Sanaullah Khan, a close aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, hinted at diminishing support for Naqvi, suggesting that holding two full-time roles is untenable.
Critics argue that the PCB’s leadership instability and political interference are damaging the sport, urging for a merit-based system to restore Pakistan cricket’s former glory.
