Pakistan’s cricket team, once a powerhouse that delivered iconic moments like the 1992 ODI World Cup win and the 2009 T20 World Cup triumph, is now facing a significant decline. The team’s recent poor performances, highlighted by their exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup and a 2-0 Test series whitewash against Bangladesh, have sparked debate over the impact of politics on the sport.
Critics argue that nepotism and political meddling in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have destabilized the team, with frequent changes in coaches, captains, and board heads. Current PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the country’s interior minister, has come under fire for his dual roles, with accusations that political favoritism has affected team selection and overall management.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, himself a cricket legend, has criticized the current system, claiming that “favorites” are being imposed to manage the sport, resulting in Pakistan’s decline. The team’s lack of success, most notably their failure to win a home Test since 2021, is now raising concerns about the future of cricket in the nation.
With the country’s most beloved sport facing mounting pressure from political interference, the calls for reform are growing louder, with demands for an end to nepotism and more professional management at the top levels of cricket.
