For anyone who follows Pakistan cricket, the current situation feels like a painful ordeal. The national side has endured a dismal run, losing 14 out of their last 19 Test matches, a slump that was starkly highlighted by the recent three‑day demolition at Headingley where England won by an innings and 103 runs in the opening Test of the series. That defeat was not just a loss on the scoreboard; it exposed a troubling combination of ineffective bowling, fragile batting and sub‑par fielding, creating a cocktail of problems that has left supporters deeply concerned. As the second Test approaches at Lord's, scheduled to start on Thursday with live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket, the conversation has shifted from the on‑field performance to the structural issues that appear to be dragging the team down.
Osman Samiuddin, a senior editor at Cricinfo and a recognised specialist on Pakistan cricket, joined former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast to dissect what he believes are the root causes of the nation’s cricketing woes. Samiuddin warned that Pakistan cricket is now at an "alarm‑bells" stage, with fans increasingly fed up with the way the sport is being administered. Samiuddin began by addressing the chaotic domestic framework that has existed for the better part of seven decades. He explained that Pakistan has been caught in a perpetual tug‑of‑war between departmental teams—sponsored by government bodies or corporations—and regional sides representing provinces or cities.
"Whatever structure you decide on, you need to stick with it for at least a decade," he said. "Instead, we have seen the system altered almost every season since the inaugural first‑class competition in 1953, and that lack of stability has crippled the pipeline of talent." The most recent upheaval came in the 2019‑20 season when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) slashed the number of first‑class teams from sixteen to six, only to expand again later to a mixture of four first‑class and three white‑ball tournaments.
That abrupt reduction instantly halved the pool of professional cricketers, leaving many players without contracts. Samiuddin recounted stories of former first‑class players who were forced to take up taxi driving or other odd jobs overnight because their cricketing careers vanished almost instantly.
The constant reshuffling has also meant that domestic matches are now played on a handful of venues—typically four or five—rather than the broad network of sixteen grounds that existed in earlier eras. This concentration limits players' exposure to varied pitch conditions, making it harder for batsmen like Abdullah Shafique or Imam‑ul‑Haq to develop the adaptability required for success on the international stage. Beyond the domestic turbulence, Samiuddin highlighted the scarcity of Test cricket for Pakistan.
Since 2017, the team has not played a double‑digit number of Tests in any calendar year, a stark contrast to the more robust schedules of other nations. In 2025, only Sri Lanka (four Tests), Ireland (three) and Afghanistan (two) fell below the five‑match threshold, while Pakistan is slated for nine Tests in 2026. The limited exposure to the longest format hampers player growth, especially for bowlers who need sustained, high‑intensity competition to refine their skills. Administrative instability compounds the on‑field problems.
Since 2021, Pakistan has had four different PCB chairmen—Ramiz Raja, Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf and the current incumbent, Mohsin Naqvi—each bringing divergent philosophies and varying degrees of involvement. Naqvi, who also serves as the country’s interior minister, juggles demanding governmental responsibilities alongside cricket administration, raising questions about the amount of time and focus he can devote to the sport. Samiuddin suggested that this revolving‑door leadership has contributed to inconsistent policies, particularly in player management and development. Player development, he argued, is another area where the PCB has faltered.
Talented youngsters such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique and Naseem Shah burst onto the scene with great promise, yet many have struggled to maintain their early momentum. The primary culprit, according to Samiuddin, is the board’s handling of their careers. Injuries have been mismanaged, rehabilitation programs have lacked continuity, and coaching staff changes have been frequent. Shaheen, for instance, suffered a knee injury while fielding in Sri Lanka in 2022, and his recovery was reportedly rushed, leading to a patchy return to form.
He has featured in only nine of the 27 Tests since his comeback, while Naseem Shah has not played a Test since December 2024. Both fast bowlers have seen limited first‑class action over the past three years—a serious issue for pace bowlers who need regular match practice to build stamina and refine technique. Samiuddin also pointed out that the PCB’s selection policies have sometimes been erratic, with players like Shaheen and Naseem being omitted from squads without clear justification.
Such unexplained exclusions can damage a player’s confidence and derail a carefully plotted career trajectory. "When you drop a player without a transparent reason, you mess with their development and morale," he said.
The fan perspective is equally concerning. Observers at Headingley noted a surprisingly thin Pakistani contingent, reflecting waning enthusiasm among supporters. While many fans still travel to iconic venues like Lord’s, the overall sentiment is one of frustration not just with the results but with the governance of the sport. Samiuddin recounted anecdotal evidence that fans are angry at the administration rather than the players, feeling that the board’s mismanagement is eroding the future of cricket in the country.
He warned that if the current trajectory continues, Pakistani cricket could suffer a fate similar to that of field hockey—once a national passion now relegated to the margins—or the West Indies, where administrative chaos has led to a steep decline in international competitiveness. The warning bells are ringing, and the PCB must act decisively to restore stability, invest in a coherent domestic structure, and provide consistent support for its elite players.
In summary, the challenges facing Pakistan cricket are multifaceted: an ever‑changing domestic landscape, insufficient Test exposure, leadership turnover, inadequate player welfare, and a growing disconnect with the fan base. Addressing these issues will require a long‑term vision, steadfast commitment to a single structural model, and a transparent, player‑centred approach from the board. Only then can Pakistan hope to rebuild its cricketing reputation and bring back the sense of pride that once made it a powerhouse of the sport.