Aoba Tanaka 
Legendary pacer Wasim Akram has voiced strong criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), blaming its erratic leadership for the poor performance of the senior men’s national cricket team. In an interview with Sportskeeda, Akram highlighted the instability caused by the appointment of four different chairmen within a year, which he believes undermined the team’s ability to perform consistently.
“They replaced Shaheen Afridi from captaincy and then changed three chairmen in one year. First, they removed Ramiz (Raja). They didn’t even let him get into office. Then Najam Sethi was brought in. Zaka Ashraf came after three months. After four to five months, Mohsin Naqvi was brought in as the new PCB chairman. How can the team be consistent then?” Wasim Akram said.
Akram’s frustration stems from the frequent changes in leadership, which he argues make it difficult for the team to maintain stability and perform at its best. The continuous reshuffling not only affects the players’ morale but also damages Pakistan cricket’s reputation on the global stage. “People make fun of us in world cricket. They don’t get it. If you have made (Shaheen) Afridi the captain, give him a year,” Akram added.
The former cricketer also expressed relief at not being involved with the PCB, citing the constant criticism and politics within the board. “They don’t ask us. It’s good that we are away from Pakistan cricket. It is a blessing in disguise because it is just criticism, politics,” he remarked.
The PCB’s handling of team leadership has been a significant point of contention. After Pakistan’s early exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup, Babar Azam was replaced by Shaheen Afridi as Pakistan’s T20I captain. Under Shaheen’s leadership, Pakistan lost a T20I series against New Zealand 4-1. Shortly after, Shaheen was replaced by Babar Azam, which Akram believes was a hasty decision.
“They replaced Babar with Shaheen as Pakistan captain. The latter lost one series, and the chairman got changed during that phase. The newcomer asked to change the captain and got it done. This is just not on,” Akram emphasized.
Akram’s comments reflect a deep concern for the future of Pakistan cricket, urging the PCB to provide stable leadership and allow captains sufficient time to prove their capabilities. His candid remarks call for a more thoughtful and consistent approach to managing the national team, emphasizing that stability at the top is crucial for on-field success.
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