Former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz has strongly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its officials, holding them responsible for the current decline of Pakistan cricket. According to the 76-year-old, the sport in the country has deteriorated due to the influence of bureaucrats running the board, who he claims lack a true understanding of the game.
Nawaz expressed his concerns over the state of cricket administration in Pakistan, particularly the frequent leadership changes within the PCB. “Pakistan cricket is gone now. I think it’s because of all the PCB officials running the board. They are non-cricketers; they are bureaucrats. That’s why I think they don’t know how to go about things like that. They’ve picked people who previously destroyed Pakistan cricket. And then there are frequent changes in the PCB. Within a year and a half, there were three chairmen and four captains. What else do you expect?” Nawaz stated in an interview with Cricbuzz.
He further revealed that he has been offering his insights to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, though he is uncertain if his suggestions are being considered. “I watch closely, and on and off, I write to the PCB chairman (Mohsin Naqvi) because he doesn’t know much about cricket. I suggested things to him, but it’s up to him what he does.”
Reflecting on Pakistan’s performance in the recently concluded India-Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025 match, which India won by six wickets, Nawaz blamed poor selection decisions. He argued that Pakistan’s squad was not properly balanced and lacked quality spinners. “It was a one-sided game because the Pakistan team was not properly selected. They didn’t take spinners with them, and then there were two injuries (Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman). The team was unbalanced. Some players were selected because of backing from higher authorities. When the team was announced, I wrote to the chairman of the PCB, suggesting spinners like Sajid (Khan) and Noman (Ali), who had wrecked England earlier. They performed well against the West Indies too, but they were not picked at all.”
Further elaborating on the team’s shortcomings, he emphasized that improper selection inevitably leads to defeat. “Pakistan’s selection was very poor. If there is no proper selection and a proper team is not picked, the other team will always be far ahead of you. This was the main issue.”
Nawaz also commented on the declining form of fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah following their injuries. He noted that Afridi’s bowling has lost its edge since his injury. “Since he (Shaheen) had an injury some time ago, he has not been the same bowler. His pace has dropped, and his line and length are not the same.”
Regarding Naseem Shah, he pointed out that the pacer has not regained his previous speed and accuracy. “He’s (Naseem) been in the team for almost five years now. Since he had his shoulder injury, his speed has slowed down. Earlier, he used to bowl at 145, and now he bowls at 135-137, something like that. Then he bowls outside the off stump. He doesn’t bowl within the stumps all the time.”
Sarfraz Nawaz’s remarks highlight growing concerns about the governance of Pakistan cricket and the need for better selection policies to revive the team’s fortunes on the international stage.
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