Azhar Ali blames Aaqib Javed for Pakistan’s cricket chaos: his every decision fails

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has launched a scathing attack on high-powered director Aaqib Javed, holding him responsible for several decisions behind the team’s recent woes and accusing him of shifting the blame when things go wrong.

Pakistan are 2-0 down in the ongoing three-Test series against England after defeats at Headingley and Lord’s. With the final Test set to begin at Edgbaston on September 9, Azhar fears Pakistan may struggle to make the final of the series competitive.

The former right-hander was particularly critical Javed, who oversees cricket affairs at the Pakistan Cricket Board and remained an influential figure through several changes to the setting.

Azhar believes Javed needs to take responsibility for Pakistan’s performances and back off if he cannot turn things around.

“We have had bad decisions like these for three years now. He should take responsibility for the performances. His judgment should be questioned. I listened to his interview this week and he tried to put the blame on Sarfaraz and Babar. He appointed them only a few months earlier!”

“That was enough for me to judge someone. Every decision he makes comes back to him and then he says, ‘That’s not me.’ Look at yourself first. And if you can’t control this team, if you can’t change Pakistan cricket, then leave,” he told The Guardian.

However, Pakistan’s problems go far beyond the current Test series. The team went through repeated changes in leadership and management, with their performances becoming increasingly difficult to predict.

Azhar believes Pakistan have even lost the unpredictability that once made them such a dangerous side.

“People said you can expect anything from Pakistan – that any team can turn up on any day and either be 46 all out or win from nowhere. But we don’t even do that inconsistency anymore. We’ve become completely consistent – in the most negative way.”

For Azhar, the answer lies in building a clear long-term plan rather than continuing short-term changes. He believes developing Pakistan’s fast-bowling pipeline must be a key part of this process.

“We have to ask why the fast bowlers aren’t coming through. Look at Bangladesh. They weren’t content to just spin at home; they wanted to grow as a cricketing nation and put together a group of fast bowlers who just won a Test match in Australia. You can’t just hope it happens, which is what it feels like in Pakistan these days.”

“We need a settled structure and one where people are hired and supported for three to four years. Right now, for example, the under-19s are without a leader. But that role is probably more important than the head coach of the senior side,” Ali said.

Azhar also offered support to Babar Azam, who has come under intense scrutiny during a difficult period for Pakistan cricket. He believes the former captain has been under immense pressure and does not have the same mental toughness that helped players like Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan deal with criticism.

“Right now is probably the worst time for a Pakistan captain. I believe he too has to consider his options. Every player goes through periods of low scores but as a nation we just expected him to do it and the criticism followed. It played on his mind and he doubted himself even though he lacked any internal support.”

“I don’t think he is as mentally strong as Misbah or, say, Younis Khan. Misbah was not as talented as Babar, but he was much tougher. Younis faced criticism but never lost his goals. But everyone is different. We have to realize that and create an environment where he can flourish, not be pulled down,” he said.

For now, Pakistan’s focus is on the final Test against England. After defeats in the first two matches, Azhar sees no reason for optimism. He pointed to the team’s body language as evidence of low confidence and expects England to remain in control at Edgbaston.

“You can tell from their body language that things are not good. I would be very surprised if the final test was a competition,” he said.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

07 Sep 2026 20:25 IST