Azhar Ali blames instability for Pakistan cricket crisis

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has said a lack of vision, instability and growing concerns over job security are hurting the country’s cricket structure, warning that meaningful reform cannot begin until those responsible first identify the real problems.

Azhar’s comments come after a series of major changes by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during the ongoing Test tour of England. The board recently removed red-ball head coach Sarfraz Ahmed after just a few months in the role and placed white-ball coach Mike Hesson in charge for the third Test.

The PCB also sent seven players back home and replaced bowling coach Umar Gul with Australian Ashley Noffke. The sudden changes have triggered criticism from former players and coaches, particularly because they were made while the Test series was still underway.

Selection committee member Misbah-ul-Haq subsequently resigned after reportedly not being consulted about the decisions, adding another layer of uncertainty to Pakistan’s already unsettled cricket setup.

Speaking to Dawn on Wednesday, Azhar said the repeated upheavals pointed to deeper problems within the PCB.

“The real problem is the lack of vision among the people working at the PCB. It also raises questions about the competence of the people making these decisions,” Azhar said

He argued that frequent changes could create an environment where officials become more focused on protecting their positions than making bold and cricket-focused decisions.

“Job security seems to be the biggest concern. When you are trying to save your job, competence goes out of the window,” the former skipper said.

Azhar also placed some responsibility on former and current cricketers, saying players and cricket professionals need to play a stronger role in shaping important decisions.

“If cricketing decisions are not being taken by cricketers, then it is also the fault of the cricketers themselves,” he said.

Pakistan’s latest shake-up follows a difficult Test campaign in England. The team suffered four consecutive defeats before changes were made, including a heavy defeat at Lord’s that intensified scrutiny of the management.

Azhar stressed that difficult decisions are sometimes necessary in sport but said they should not create fear and uncertainty throughout the system. A sustainable cricket structure, he suggested, requires a clear long-term vision rather than repeated short-term reactions.

His remarks add to growing calls for greater stability, accountability and cricket expertise within Pakistan’s decision-making structure as the national team attempts to recover from a turbulent period.