Pakistan’s recent T20I series loss has again brought to the fore the mess around the national cricket team. Talented players like Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi, who were formerly match-winners, have lost their form. Is it merely a matter of individual slumps, though, or is there more at work?
The solution to this lies in Pakistan’s persistent to-and-fro captaincy and management flux, which ultimately has impacted the stability and performances of the team.
Uncertainty in leadership left the players shaken, impacting consistency and morale levels. The defeats in recent T20Is and uninspiring performance show a directionless squad. And this plunge didn’t overnight—this process began post-2022 leadership changes.
The rise and fall
During Ramiz Raja’s chairmanship, Pakistan cricket enjoyed a relatively stable organization. Babar Azam was the captain of the team in two consecutive T20 World Cups, winning a semi-final finish in 2021 and a runner-up spot in 2022.
Though they faced defeat against India in the 2022 edition’s group stage, Babar’s captaincy was never questioned because of the support of the management.
His group also achieved historical victories over India in the Asia Cup 2022 and T20 World Cup 2021, solidifying their reputation as a strong white-ball team. Things, though, took an extreme turn once Ramiz Raja left.
After 2022, there was a wave of instability surrounding Pakistan cricket. Najam Sethi took the place of Ramiz, and then Zaka Ashraf, some interim chairman, and ultimately Mohsin Naqvi took over.
Every new chairman brought their own vision with them, which resulted in sudden changes. Babar Azam, long thought of as the unquestioned leader, was dismissed after Pakistan’s dismal 2023 ODI World Cup performance.
His resignation is said to have been forced and not of his free will. The white-ball captaincy was given to Shaheen Afridi by the PCB, but his time at the helm was short-lived after a poor beginning, including a series defeat against New Zealand.
His removal under Mohsin Naqvi’s administration suggested a growing tendency for PCB interference in captaincy decisions.
The instability didn’t stop there. Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who had previously retired, made a comeback under the new administration. Meanwhile, PCB controversially reinstated Babar Azam as white-ball captain ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup, only to see Pakistan suffer a humiliating campaign.
A dramatic defeat to the USA in the group stages summed up the downward slide of the team. Sources suggested rampant management interference in decision-making, a far cry from the days of Ramiz Raja when Babar had complete autonomy in the captaincy role.
Pakistan cricket is handled by multiples
Pakistan Cricket entered yet another leadership change in October 2024. Mohammad Rizwan was made the new white-ball captain, with Salman Ali Agha being made vice-captain.
Salman was also tasked with captaincy of the T20I team in Zimbabwe, and Rizwan was rested.
Yet, the miseries continued. Under Rizwan, Pakistan endured an embarrassing winless tour in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which was staged on home soil.
The side ended at the bottom of the table, giving serious grounds to question the long-term damage done by the managerial instability.
The scenario further deteriorated during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand, where a weakened team, captained by Salman Ali Agha, lost the T20I series 4-1.
The recurring pattern of leadership shifts has deprived the players of continuity. Ongoing changes in strategies and policies have impacted the chemistry of the team, leading to inconsistent performances.
Pakistan cricket’s current woes are the direct fallout of administrative uncertainty and constant changes in captaincy.
Contrasted with the steadiness offered during Ramiz Raja’s stay, where there was certainty regarding leadership, there has been a revolving door system of chairmen and captains running the team over the last couple of years.
The excessive involvement of management at the cost of leadership autonomy has confused players in their roles and responsibilities.
If Pakistan cricket wants to return to its glory days, it is in dire need of consistency in leadership, clear direction from the board, and faith in its captains. In the absence of these factors, the team can only continue its downward slide on the international stage.
