Azhar Ali Blames PCB Instability for Pakistan Cricket’s Decline

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has criticised the repeated changes in Pakistan cricket. He blamed a lack of vision, instability and job insecurity among decision-makers.

Azhar made the comments after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) introduced major changes during the England Test series.

The PCB recently removed red-ball head coach Sarfraz Ahmed. The board also placed white-ball coach Mike Hesson in charge for the third Test in England.

In addition, the PCB sent seven players home. It also replaced bowling coach Umar Gul with Australian Ashley Noffke.

Selection committee member Misbah-ul-Haq later resigned. Reports said the board did not consult him about the changes.

Azhar Ali Questions PCB Decision-Making

Azhar said the PCB needs greater vision and stronger decision-making.

“The real problem is the lack of vision among the people working at the PCB,” Azhar told Dawn. He also questioned the competence of those making key cricketing decisions.

According to Azhar, job security has become a major concern for decision-makers. As a result, he believes officials may focus on protecting their positions instead of building a stable system.

He also said former and current cricketers must take greater responsibility.

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“If cricketing decisions are not being taken by cricketers, then it is also the fault of the cricketers themselves,” he said.

Constant Changes Affect Pakistan Players

Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests against England.

England won the Headingley Test by an innings and 103 runs. The hosts then won at Lord’s by 194 runs.

Those results gave England an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

However, Azhar said the damage extends beyond results. He believes constant changes also create insecurity among players.

“It creates insecurity among the players,” he said. “You can see it in their body language.”

According to Azhar, players face significant mental pressure. They also struggle to adjust when coaches, selectors and teammates keep changing.

At the same time, he accepted that cricket authorities sometimes need to make difficult decisions.

However, he stressed the importance of stability. Players should know where they stand within a clearly defined system.

Azhar Calls for Five-Year Cricket Road Map

Azhar believes Pakistan must first understand its problems. Only then, he said, can the country begin a meaningful reform process.

“Until you realise where you stand, the journey towards improvement cannot begin,” he said.

Therefore, Azhar proposed a collective review involving Pakistan’s leading cricketers.

He wants current and former top players to sit together and identify the main problems. They should then develop a long-term five-year plan.

More importantly, he urged the PCB to follow that plan consistently.

“You cannot keep taking one step forward and two steps back,” he said.

Azhar believes a structured system could make Pakistan competitive again. He does not expect instant success.

However, he said Pakistan could once again become a team that fans enjoy watching.

Former Captain Defends Pakistan’s Talent

Azhar also rejected the idea that technical weaknesses alone explain Pakistan’s struggles.

Instead, he called for greater scrutiny of the development system.

“The ability is there in everyone,” he said. “If your system supports players properly, they can perform at international level.”

He also raised concerns about the recent decline of leading players.

Azhar specifically mentioned Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. He questioned why both players had moved backwards after establishing themselves internationally.

According to Azhar, Pakistan must examine how its system supports elite players. The country also needs to understand why some leading performers have lost form.

Mohsin Naqvi Defends PCB Changes

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi defended the board’s recent decisions on Wednesday.

Speaking to Geo News from London, Naqvi said he felt deeply upset by Pakistan’s performances.

He also said the PCB was examining issues beyond results. However, he declined to discuss matters unrelated to cricket at this stage.

Naqvi also responded to criticism from former Pakistan players.

“I have never been afraid of criticism, and I never will be,” he said.

The PCB chairman suggested that some critics did not know the complete situation. He also claimed that some criticism came from personal motives.

Meanwhile, Naqvi acknowledged Pakistan’s poor Test record. Pakistan currently sit near the bottom of the World Test Championship standings.

However, he highlighted improvements in white-ball cricket. Pakistan rank fifth in ODIs and sixth in T20Is, according to Naqvi.

He also rejected claims that Pakistan cricket had suffered complete destruction under his leadership.

Naqvi said his confidence in Pakistan’s players remains intact. He added that he would not tolerate their humiliation.

Pakistan Players Meet King Charles

Also on Wednesday, Pakistan’s players and officials met King Charles at Clarence House in London.

Naqvi also attended the meeting. The monarch spoke with the players and team officials during the gathering.

The meeting came as Pakistan faced growing scrutiny over its Test performances.

Meanwhile, Azhar Ali’s comments have renewed the debate over Pakistan cricket’s long-term direction.

The former captain believes stability must come first. He also wants cricket experts to shape the reform process.

For Pakistan, the challenge now goes beyond one Test series. The country must decide whether it wants another short-term overhaul or a consistent long-term system.