“Pakistan Legend Slams PCB Over Rumors of Team Factionalism”

Pakistan cricket is currently facing significant challenges, following disappointing performances in both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the earlier T20 World Cup. Former Pakistan opener Mudassar Nazar has pointed fingers at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the growing tensions between senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi. He argues that the board needs to provide substantial support to Babar, allowing him the time to establish his leadership effectively.

Babar recently resigned as captain for the second time, having previously stepped down last year after a lackluster showing in the ODI World Cup, which led to Shaheen being appointed as the limited-overs skipper. However, Shaheen was soon removed from that role, and Babar was reinstated as the white-ball captain in March of this year. The situation worsened last month when the ‘Men in Green’ suffered their first-ever Test series defeat against Bangladesh on home soil, drawing increased scrutiny from various stakeholders.

The 68-year-old Nazar criticized the PCB for ignoring the deepening issues within Pakistan cricket, asserting that the board is primarily responsible for the sport’s decline in the country. “It goes in a cycle. Yes, we are down at the moment, and a lot of that is our own fault regarding how we manage cricket in Pakistan. Nobody is addressing the problems seriously. We keep changing the cricket board every few months or years, which hasn’t helped,” he remarked.

Despite the current struggles, Nazar remains optimistic about the future of Pakistan cricket. He believes that with the emergence of new talent, the team can regain its status among the top cricketing nations. “Pakistan has a wealth of talented players. When I played, even the net bowlers were bowling over 145 kph. But somewhere along the line, they have gotten lost in the system,” he noted.

In discussing comparisons between Babar Azam and Indian superstar Virat Kohli, Nazar emphasized the vast difference in their current standings. “Virat will be remembered as one of the greatest who has played the game, while Babar still needs to make a name for himself,” he said. He also praised Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Kohli, expressing his admiration for their batting skills, saying he could watch them play for hours.

Regarding the tensions between Babar and Shaheen, Nazar stated, “It’s our own doing. We should have kept a consistent leadership structure. If a captain is chosen, he should be given a longer term, and if someone else is appointed, they should be allowed to settle in.” The PCB has yet to name a new captain for the white-ball format, and Nazar believes the board only has itself to blame for the current state of Pakistan cricket.