Azhar Ali urges Aqib Javed to step aside over Pakistan cricket’s decline

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has strongly criticised Director of High Performance Center Aqib Javed over his handling

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has strongly criticised Director of High Performance Center Aqib Javed over his handling of the national cricket setup, questioning his decisions and urging him to take responsibility for the team’s continued poor performances.

In an exclusive interview Azhar reflected on Pakistan’s long-standing reputation for producing unexpected results, saying the team was once capable of recovering from extremely difficult situations or producing remarkable victories when least expected. However, he believes that unpredictability has now disappeared, with Pakistan becoming consistently poor rather than unpredictably brilliant.

“People used to say you could expect anything from Pakistan – that any team could turn up on any given day and either be 46 all out or win from nowhere,” Azhar said. “But we don’t even do that inconsistency any more. We’ve become totally consistent – in the most negative way.”

The former captain expressed serious concern over the current state of Pakistan cricket, warning that the game needs greater attention, proper planning and a clear long-term vision if it is to regain the confidence and interest of supporters.

According to Azhar, cricket remains deeply connected with the emotions of the Pakistani public, but continued disappointing performances could result in fans losing interest in the national team.

“Cricket in Pakistan needs proper care and a vision that gives hope to a nation on the brink of losing their appetite,” he said. “If we don’t pull our socks up, we won’t be able to bring people back. You cannot lose hope, but the signs are not good.”

Azhar also pointed towards the body language of Pakistan’s players, suggesting that their demeanour on the field indicates that the team is struggling both in terms of confidence and overall direction.

“You can tell from their body language things are not good,” he observed, adding that he would be surprised if Pakistan’s final Test match turned into a competitive contest.

The former Pakistan captain reserved some of his strongest criticism for Aqib Javed, questioning the Director of High Performance’s judgment and his handling of key decisions within the national setup.

Azhar argued that those responsible for the team’s performances must accept accountability instead of shifting blame to individual players or previous decisions.

“We have had bad decisions like these for three years now,” he said.

He also criticised Aqib for comments in which he believed responsibility was being placed on former captains Sarfaraz Ahmed and Babar Azam, despite the fact that Aqib himself had been involved in appointing them only a few months earlier.

“He should take responsibility for performances. His judgment should be questioned,” Azhar said. “I listened to his interview this week, and he was trying to put the blame on Sarfaraz and Babar. He appointed them just a few months earlier!”

Azhar said the repeated failure of decisions to produce positive results should prompt those in charge to examine their own performance before blaming others.

“That was enough for me to judge someone. Every decision he makes backfires, and he then says: ‘It’s not me.’ Look at yourself first,” he said.

Concluding his criticism, Azhar urged Aqib Javed to consider stepping aside if he believes he is unable to bring about meaningful improvements within Pakistan cricket.

“And if you cannot control this team, if you cannot make a difference to Pakistan cricket, then step away,” he concluded.