Pakistan cricket plunges into fresh crisis as PCB faces fierce backlash over team turmoil

Pakistan cricket has slipped into profound turmoil as former legends and international pundits hit out at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following a chaotic series against England, controversial disciplinary measures, and unexpected squad cuts.

Legends Slam Board's Short-Term Fixes

Former captain and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq took sharp aim at the PCB hierarchy, warning that superficial changes will do nothing to solve deep-rooted institutional flaws. "‘Cosmetic surgery’ won’t fix Pakistan cricket," Misbah said after stepping down from his advisory role.

Fast-bowling icon Shoaib Akhtar delivered a damning assessment of the state of the national team, declaring that "Pakistan cricket is on a ventilator" and noting that fans and experts have grown accustomed to zero expectations. Former batter Mohammad Yousuf pointed to past complacency, noting that historic wins against arch-rivals India masked underlying technical and structural decay.

Mid-Series Turmoil and Phone Confiscations

Tensions reached a boiling point during the England Test series, with reports revealing that the PCB took players' mobile phones into custody ahead of the final Test amid concerns over team leaks and integrity protocols. Meanwhile, the unexpected axing of senior stars Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq—reportedly over behavioral friction—sparked further bewilderment.

Head coach Mike Hesson broke his silence regarding the sudden mid-series squad shake-up, stating bluntly that "I really don't know what happened." International voices, including former Australia opener Matthew Hayden, observed that Pakistan cricket remains "always in chaos, standing on one toe."

Leadership Under Fire

Under PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, further administrative shake-ups appear imminent, with reports suggesting chief selector Aaqib Javed could be removed in an upcoming overhaul. Critics have condemned the frequent strategy reversals, arguing that constant overhauls undermine player confidence and team stability.