‘Pakistan cricket in shambles, all-time low’: Former cricketer lashes out at PCB amid England unrest

NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricket is going through a major crisis. With the team already down 2-0 in the three Tests against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a series of sudden changes that raised more questions than answers. Former Pakistan batsman Atiq-uz-Zaman expressed his disappointment at the situation, saying the team is currently “in shambles” and at an “all-time low”.Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat by 194 runs at Lord’s in the second Test. Soon after, the PCB carried out a major overhaul ahead of the third and final Test at Edgbaston, which began on the 9th.Seven players were sent home, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. White-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke have been asked to take charge of the red-ball team, while former captain Misbah-ul-Haq has stepped down from the selection committee and also left his role as batting advisor at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.The changes have added to the uncertainty surrounding the Pakistan team, which is already struggling across formats.

“Pakistan cricket is in shambles”

Atiq-uz-Zaman questioned the decision to make so many changes in the middle of the Test series, especially the decision to send some players home.“I don’t understand why Khurram Shehzad was dropped or why the spinner (Ali Usman) was sent home after taking the most wickets in the Leeds Test. All of a sudden now T20 bowlers are being brought into the Test team. Why? Because Mike Hesson has his personal favorites and he brought these players into Test cricket.“I don’t understand what is happening. Pakistan cricket is in ruins at the moment. It really hurts me because even though I live in England, I am a Pakistani at heart. I have played for my country and I want them to improve and perform well in different conditions. Pakistan cricket is at an all-time low right now,” Atiq-uz-Zaman told IANS.

“There is no justification for this”

He also questioned the decision to remove Sarfaraz and Gul from their coaching roles midway through the series.“There is no justification for this. The same people who selected them turned around and canceled them. That means you either made a mistake in the first place or you’re making a mistake right now.”“Look, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul are the greats of Pakistan cricket. They have won World Cups for Pakistan. Sarfaraz won the World Cup at U19 level and then won the Champions Trophy as the national captain. He deserves respect. I personally did not agree to him becoming the head coach of the Pakistan Test team now because he lacked previous coaching experience and qualifications.“I didn’t support this appointment. But once you make him a coach, you have to support him. Give him a fair chance before you disrespect him and send him home in the middle of a Test series. It’s unacceptable. I feel very sorry for Sarfaraz and Umar Gul because I don’t think they’ve done anything wrong. If the players on the field can’t perform, or if you don’t see the coach being able to perform, what should the coach do? now,” he added.

Atiq questions the Imam’s decision not to burn

Atiq-uz-Zaman also criticized Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq, who failed the Lord’s Test after suffering a Grade 1 tear in his left calf.Imam came in for some batting practice despite the injury, but his decision not to bat in the Test drew criticism.Atiq said he would have expected the opener to come out and bat even though he was not fully fit.“Look, I’m not going to speculate on the exact severity of his injury, but in our culture we’re brought up to be tough. If you have a grade 1, 2 or even 3 muscle strain, you’re still going to step up and bat for your team. Even if you get out on the first ball, it doesn’t matter – the public sees that you’ve shown heart and respects you for it.”“Instead he made himself look bad by not batting in an innings and then walking out to the media in shorts with bandages on his leg and limping heavily – even if you can’t run you can still hit the ball. Look at Glenn Maxwell scoring a double hundred with severe hamstring cramps or Chris Woakes coming out to bat with Saleem Maliers and West’s broken arm.“Imam-ul-Haq should have walked out to bat. Even if he had got in immediately, no one would have questioned his resolve as he was genuinely injured. But limping in front of the media after being criticized the day before just looks like a feat.”“It leaves a bad impression and I have no sympathy for this behaviour. If you don’t have the heart or guts for international cricket, you shouldn’t be playing Test matches. Test cricket is not just a test of your ability – it’s a test of your character,” he explained.

‘Enjoy your cricket and believe in your skills’

Despite his criticism, Atiq-uz-Zaman backed the players to respond in the final Test at Edgbaston.He said that Pakistani players have grown up in a difficult system and have to focus on their cricket despite the uncertainty around them.“To be honest, in Pakistan the players are used to this environment from U16 and U19 domestic cricket. We are brought up in a tough system where you rarely get complete freedom or support and you always feel like you are playing under threat just to survive. My message to them is: enjoy your cricket, believe in your skills, do your best with bat and ball and leave the rest to God.”

“The talent in Pakistan undeniably exists”

Atiq, who works as a scout for England Women, Lions and Young Lions and coaches the German men’s team, also called for major changes at the PCB level.He believes that Pakistan has enough talent but needs better leadership, planning and support to develop that talent.“We hope that the PCB chairman will change his approach and bring in someone with real expertise and management experience to drive real structural change. If you surround the team with quality, professional individuals, they will instill high standards. The talent in Pakistan is undeniably there, but without the right resources and support structure, these players cannot reach the next level.”