Azhar says lack of vision and instability are hurting Pakistan cricket

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali says the country’s cricket establishment keeps changing course because its decision-makers lack a clear vision and fear losing their jobs.

His criticism followed a major reshuffle by the Pakistan Cricket Board during the Test series in England. The PCB dismissed red-ball head coach Sarfraz Ahmed after he had taken the job only months earlier and overseen five defeats in six Tests. White-ball coach Mike Hesson took charge for the third Test, seven players were sent home, and Australian Ashley Noffke replaced bowling coach Umar Gul.

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The real problem is the lack of vision among the people working at the PCB. It also raises questions about the competence of the people making these decisions.

Selection committee member Misbah-ul-Haq later resigned after reportedly not being consulted. Former players and coaches also questioned the timing of the changes, which came while the series was still being played. Pakistan had already suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests, losing by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley and by 194 runs at Lord’s.

“The real problem is the lack of vision among the people working at the PCB. It also raises questions about the competence of the people making these decisions,” Azhar told Dawn. “Job security seems to be the biggest concern. When you are trying to save your job, competence goes out of the window.”

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Job security seems to be the biggest concern. When you are trying to save your job, competence goes out of the window.

Azhar said constant changes were also affecting the players, who faced uncertainty over their positions and the team’s direction. “It creates insecurity among the players. You can see it in their body language. They are under mental stress and are not able to absorb everything that comes with these decisions,” he said.

He added that difficult decisions could be necessary, but they should come within a stable and clearly defined system. In his view, instability across politics, coaching and selection has contributed to Pakistan’s decline over the past five to six years. The PCB chief, however, said the criticism was personal rather than driven by genuine concern.

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It creates insecurity among the players. You can see it in their body language. They are under mental stress and are not able to absorb everything that comes with these decisions.