Pakistan cricket has reached another difficult point after a crushing 3-0 Test whitewash in England. However, debutant Razaullah’s dazzling cameo offered a brief glimpse of hope.
The disappointing tour also exposed deeper problems within the national setup. Meanwhile, repeated leadership changes and squad upheaval continued to overshadow performances on the field.
Pakistan’s Struggles Continue in England
Pakistan was described as the worst team to tour England in the past 50 years. The team’s problems became more evident as its batting collapsed repeatedly.
The side failed to cross 200 runs in five of its six innings. Consequently, the Pakistan Cricket Board continued making major changes during the series.
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling chief Umar Gul were removed from their positions. Seven players were also expelled from the squad during the troubled tour.
White-ball coach Mike Hesson then took charge for the third and final Test. However, his appointment could not prevent another defeat.
The turmoil deepened when expelled players Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq faced investigation by the national cybercrime agency. The investigation concerned allegations of leaking team information.
Former Stars Criticise Pakistan Cricket’s Decline
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said the current situation had been developing for several years.
“It’s a disappointing state but I could see this coming for the last five years and you can’t blame one particular person and one factor because there are many,” Akram said.
Former Pakistan star Shahid Afridi also described the situation as “bleak”.
“These are gloomy times in Pakistan cricket,” Afridi said. “You don’t disrespect players like this, and your system is not strong.”
Pakistan’s frequent changes are not new. The national Test team has had three captains and six head coaches during the past three years.
The PCB has also had five chairmen within five years. Such frequent changes have contributed to inconsistent planning and affected the game’s development.
Punishments Have Followed Previous Failures
Pakistan has previously responded to poor results with major disciplinary measures. After a 3-0 Test whitewash in Australia in 2010, the PCB banned then-captain Mohammad Yousuf and senior batter Younis Khan indefinitely.
The board also disciplined five other players, including Afridi, following that disappointing campaign.
However, the latest results show that the problems extend beyond individual players. Pakistan’s defeat at Edgbaston was its 16th loss in 21 Tests.
The result left Pakistan ninth and last in the World Test Championship standings. The team had also finished in the same position during the previous cycle.
White-Ball Cricket Also Faces Problems
Pakistan’s struggles have extended beyond Test cricket. The team exited the first round of last year’s ODI Champions Trophy despite the tournament marking the return of its hosting rights.
The Twenty20 format has also brought disappointment. Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Two years earlier, another T20 World Cup campaign ended with a group-stage exit. That tournament also featured a shock defeat against the United States.
Former leg-spinner and 1992 World Cup winner Mushtaq Ahmed blamed the wider decline on inadequate planning.
“We had a great number of match-winners and a strong legacy, and that is why we produced results in the past,” Ahmed said. “Now the decline is steep and will take time to fix.”
Domestic Cricket Remains a Major Concern
Pakistan’s domestic system has struggled to prepare players for international cricket. As a result, an immediate solution to the national team’s problems appears unlikely.
Akram also pointed toward shortcomings in red-ball cricket while defending the need for broader reforms.
“We need to realise that we lack talent in red-ball cricket. White-ball teams are okay,” said Akram. “It’s easy to blame the PCB chairman but when we were sleeping and not addressing the overall flaws then such a fall happens.”
Meanwhile, growing frustration among supporters is becoming another concern for Pakistan cricket.
“All my four sons and I used to play in a local academy but in the last two years we all have lost interest as our team is not doing well,” said Mohammad Afzal, a banker.
“Cricket is fast losing ground in Pakistan and we need strong measures to revive the glory.”
The latest England series has therefore highlighted problems that go beyond one disappointing campaign. Pakistan cricket now faces growing pressure to restore stability, rebuild its red-ball strength and reconnect with its supporters.
For the latest updates, visit and follow The Truth International website (www.thetruthinternational.com) and subscribe to the YouTube Channel.
