Being a supporter of Pakistan cricket has become a painful experience lately. Over the past few weeks the national side has endured a crushing defeat at Headingley, where England dispatched them by an innings and 103 runs in the opening Test of the series.
That loss was just the latest chapter in a dismal run: in 19 Tests, Pakistan have been beaten 14 times, a record that has left fans feeling despondent and frustrated. The English bowlers were relentless, the batsmen struggled to put runs on the board, and the fielding was sub‑par – a combination that exposed deep‑seated problems within the Pakistani setup. Ahead of the second Test at Lord's, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket, senior Cricinfo editor and Pakistan specialist Osman Samiuddin joined former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
Samiuddin used the platform to outline what he believes are the core reasons behind Pakistan’s decline, warning that the game in the country has reached an "alarm‑bells" stage and that supporters are increasingly fed up with the way the sport is being administered. Samiuddin began by tackling the chaotic domestic structure that has been altered almost every season since the first first‑class competition in 1953.
He argued that the constant flip‑flopping between departmental and regional teams has prevented any long‑term stability. "If you are going to choose a structure, stick with it for a decade or more," he said. "Pakistan has changed its format every single year, cutting the number of first‑class teams from 16 to six in 2019‑20, then expanding again to 16 with multiple tournaments. That kind of volatility destroys the talent pipeline." The 2019 reduction, according to Samiuddin, effectively halved the pool of first‑class cricketers.
Many players suddenly found themselves without contracts and were forced to take up alternative jobs, such as driving taxis, to make ends meet. The reduction also meant that domestic matches, which used to be spread across 16 venues, are now confined to just four or five grounds.
This limited exposure hampers the development of batsmen like Abdullah Shafique and Imam‑ul‑Haq, who need to learn how to adapt to varied conditions but are confined to a handful of pitches. Another point Samiuddin raised was the shortage of Test matches for Pakistan. The team has not played double‑digit Tests in a calendar year since 2017, a stark contrast to other nations.
Only Sri Lanka, Ireland and Afghanistan have scheduled fewer than five Tests in 2025, while Pakistan is slated for nine Tests in 2026. The lack of regular, high‑quality Test cricket, he argued, stunts player growth and reduces the team’s competitive edge. Leadership instability has also taken its toll.
Since 2021, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has seen four chairmen – Ramiz Raja, Najam Sethi, Zaka Ashraf and the current chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the country’s interior minister. Samiuddin questioned how much time a minister can devote to cricket when his primary responsibilities lie elsewhere.
This revolving‑door of administrators with differing philosophies has created an environment where strategic planning is nearly impossible. Talent management, particularly of fast bowlers, is another glaring weakness. Players such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique and Naseem Shah have burst onto the scene with great promise but have struggled to sustain their form. Samiuddin blamed the PCB’s handling of player careers, citing poor injury management and a lack of consistent coaching support.
Shaheen, for example, has missed the majority of Tests since a knee injury in Sri Lanka in 2022, partly due to a confusing rehabilitation process and frequent changes in the coaching staff. Naseem Shah has not featured in a Test since December 2024, despite being one of the most exciting young pacers in the world. The fast‑bowling department suffers from a scarcity of first‑class cricket.
Shaheen has played only nine of 27 Tests since returning from injury, and he has not participated in a first‑class match for three years. For a pace bowler, regular competitive bowling is essential to rebuild strength and rhythm. The same applies to Naseem, whose development has stalled without consistent match practice.
Samiuddin described this as a waste of talent, noting that Pakistan has always been somewhat inefficient in nurturing players, but the problem has accelerated dramatically in recent years. Selection inconsistencies have further demoralised players. Both Shaheen and Naseem, who are not part of the current Test squad, have been dropped without clear explanations, a move that Samiuddin said "messes with a player's career". Such opaque decisions erode confidence and undermine the morale of the squad.
The atmosphere at Headingley underscored the growing disillusionment among fans. Pakistani supporters were noticeably sparse, and the general mood was one of impatience with the PCB’s governance. Samiuddin reported hearing from fans who, while still willing to attend matches at iconic venues like Lord's, are increasingly frustrated not just with on‑field results but with the way cricket is run in Pakistan. He warned that if the current trajectory continues, cricket in Pakistan could suffer a fate similar to that of hockey in the country or cricket in the West Indies, where administrative turmoil has led to a steep decline.
In summary, Osman Samiuddin identified a cascade of interrelated issues: a constantly shifting domestic structure, insufficient Test exposure, frequent changes in PCB leadership, inadequate player development and injury management, and opaque selection policies. Together, these factors have created an environment where promising talent is squandered, performance suffers, and fans grow weary. The alarm bells are ringing loudly, and unless decisive, sustained reforms are implemented, Pakistan cricket risks sliding further into a period of decline.