Pakistan suffered yet another defeat at the hands of New Zealand in a T20I series, continuing a disturbing trend of poor performances that has haunted the national team since its victorious 2017 ICC Champions Trophy campaign.
Despite hosting international teams and investing in domestic cricket infrastructure, Pakistan’s cricket decline remains undeniable. This article explores the systemic issues leading to Pakistan’s cricket downfall, why home advantage has failed to work, and how poor management by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has left fans frustrated and disillusioned.
Pakistan’s recent loss to New Zealand in a series is more than just another bad day on the field. It’s symbolic of a cricketing system in decline. Despite playing on familiar pitches, with crowd support and full-strength squads, Pakistan once again faltered under pressure. The team struggled with poor shot selection, lack of bowling penetration, and defensive captaincy.
This loss continues a worrying pattern: in the last 10 T20Is at home, Pakistan has managed to win only 3 matches—an alarming stat for a team once known for its dominance on subcontinent pitches.
Post-Champions Trophy Decline:
The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy was the last moment of true glory for Pakistan. Since then:
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2018-2023: Inconsistent selection policies plagued the team.
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2021 T20 World Cup: Despite reaching the semifinals, internal rifts and poor management marred progress.
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2023 ODI World Cup: A disastrous campaign in India where Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinals.
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2024-2025: Multiple home series losses against England, Australia, and New Zealand, even with star players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan in the squad.
This consistent downfall is not coincidental. It stems from deep-rooted issues in the cricketing structure.
Why Hosting Isn’t Helping
Since 2019, Pakistan has been hosting international cricket regularly. Teams like South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia, and Sri Lanka have toured the country. Stadiums have been renovated, PSL seasons held successfully, and fan support remains unwavering. So why are results still poor?
Poor Pitch Preparation
Unlike Indian or Bangladeshi curators who tailor pitches to their teams’ strengths, Pakistan often prepares “neutral” pitches that don’t aid spinners or fast bowlers decisively. This neutral approach has backfired, helping foreign players settle in easily.
Lack of Strategic Planning
Pakistan’s coaching staff has failed to create a long-term plan for different formats. Players are often shuffled across roles and formats, reducing cohesion and clarity. The failure to develop specialist players for Test, ODI, and T20 formats has severely damaged team balance.
Fan Pressure Without Performance
Home series come with the expectations of millions. The inability to win at home—despite favorable conditions—has turned every home game into a psychological burden for players, not a strength.
Management Crisis:
One cannot talk about Pakistan cricket’s failure without pointing fingers at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Over the past five years, the board has gone through multiple chairmen, inconsistent policies, and a lack of clear direction.
Frequent Leadership Changes
Since 2018, Pakistan has had at least 6 different chairpersons of PCB, including Najam Sethi, Ramiz Raja, Zaka Ashraf, and Mohsin Naqvi. Each came with different agendas, overhauled teams and coaching setups, and disrupted continuity.
Mismanagement of Domestic Cricket
Despite revamping the domestic structure in 2019, inconsistencies remain. Departmental cricket was abolished and then brought back, leaving players confused and unemployed. Young talent has suffered due to poor facilities and lack of coaching at grassroots.
Selection Committee Confusion
Selectors have often prioritized “safe” picks or players with PSL hype over consistent domestic performers. The non-selection of merit-based players, like Usama Mir or Saud Shakeel, in key tours has raised questions over fairness and transparency.
Fans Disillusioned
Pakistan’s cricketers now play under intense scrutiny—not just because of poor form but also due to social media backlash, limited public trust, and unpredictable team management. The once-celebrated “cornered tigers” narrative now feels hollow, as fans witness the team crumble under pressure again and again.
Social Media vs Players
Babar Azam, once hailed as the modern-day batting genius, is now constantly under the microscope for his captaincy. Shaheen Afridi’s workload management is a recurring concern. The tension between senior players and management also surfaces regularly, creating a toxic dressing room environment.
Loss of Fan Trust
With every series defeat, especially at home, fans are losing hope. The empty seats in Gaddafi Stadium and Karachi National Stadium during the New Zealand series reflect this disillusionment. The passion remains, but the belief is gone.
Pakistan cricket is at a dangerous crossroads. Despite hosting major events and boasting world-class talent, the team continues to disappoint due to mismanagement, poor planning, and internal chaos. The latest loss to New Zealand is not just another defeat—it’s a loud alarm bell. If systemic reforms are not introduced urgently, Pakistan risks becoming a second-tier cricketing nation, remembered only for its past glories.
