‘Knew We Would Lose…’: Imran Khan's WC-Winning Teammate Explains Pakistan Cricket's Deep Troubles

Pakistan cricketing great Wasim Akram believes that the problems in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have become so deep-rooted that even he won't be able to fix them on his own.

Pakistan, who are currently featuring in the three-match Test series against England failed in all departments. Wasim Akram who was the part of Pakistan's World Cup winning team in 1992 reckons that apart from batting, bowling and fielding there are concerns over the lack of stability in the domestic first-class system. Akram also added that he knows about the result of the series. 

“I knew before the Test series started in England we would lose three-nil because of the glaring problems in our batting and bowling,” Akram told a sports website as quoted by PTI.

The former fast bowler stressed that Pakistan’s problems cannot be blamed on one person. According to him, the issues run through the entire cricket system, from domestic cricket to the national team.

“I get asked all the time, ‘Can you do something to help Pakistan cricket?’ But the issues are a lot deeper. These are the top players; there’s nothing else there. The systems aren’t there below that,” he said.

Akram also questioned the lack of consistency in Pakistan’s domestic structure. He believes players have not been given enough time or stability to develop, which has affected the quality of talent coming through the system.

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He was also blunt about the national team’s current performances, saying Pakistan are struggling in all three departments.

“Our batting is struggling, our bowling is below average, and our fielding is worse. It’s not rocket science,” Akram said.

For Akram, the problem goes well beyond team selection or decisions made inside the dressing room. He believes repeated changes and a lack of patience within the cricket board and domestic system have contributed to Pakistan’s decline.

The former captain feels Pakistan now need to look at the entire cricket ecosystem rather than searching for one person to blame. In his view, unless the system below the national team is strengthened and given some stability, fixing the problems at the top will remain extremely difficult.