The question on every Pakistani cricket fan’s mind is, “What’s the update on the surgery promised by the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) Chairman?” On June 14th, Pakistan’s journey in the 2024 World Cup came to an end under Babar Azam’s leadership. The match between the United States and Ireland ended in a washout, giving the U.S. a point enough to qualify at Pakistan’s expense.
“We have to go for major surgery,” Chairman Mohsin Naqvi told the media after Pakistan’s dismal performance, which saw them knocked out in the first round. This statement provided fans with some relief and hope. As the team returned home, supporters hoped that accountability and necessary changes would begin swiftly. Rumors circulated about several players being replaced and even Babar Azam losing his captaincy, given that this was Pakistan’s sixth major tournament under his leadership. However, as days passed without any concrete updates, fans grew increasingly anxious, fearing that serious actions might not be taken.
Finally, the “surgery” began with the dismissal of Razzak and Wahab Riaz. Wahab had been given multiple roles in the PCB, including a newly created position as “Senior Manager,” a role unprecedented in any cricket board. This decision was widely criticized, as it seemed redundant to have a senior manager when a team manager was already in place. Wahab’s exit was anticipated, as many felt that someone with so much control over the team deserved to be removed following such a poor performance. There were also several allegations against him during the World Cup, including involvement in factionalism within the team. Fans were elated with this news, believing that Wahab played a crucial role in Pakistan’s downfall. However, it raised another question: why was Razzak removed while the other three selectors—Yousuf, Shafiq, and Bilal Afzal—remained? All of them were equally responsible for selecting the World Cup squad. Reports suggested that the selection committee would now be reconstituted, with the chief selector likely to be reappointed and the panel reduced in size.
The second part of the surgery hit Shaheen Afridi hard. Mohsin Naqvi met with coaches Gary Kirsten and Azhar Mahmood, who reportedly complained about Shaheen Afridi’s behavior. They claimed that he was involved in lobbying and lacked seriousness during the tournament. Despite these allegations, no action was taken against him. On March 31st, Shaheen had been sacked from the captaincy after just one series, a decision many predicted would hurt team unity. This prediction seemed to have come true, according to the coaches’ reports. Opinions were divided among fans regarding the allegations against Shaheen. Some were surprised and disappointed, pointing out that while the PCB might have been unfair in removing him from the captaincy after just one series, this did not justify his alleged behavior during the World Cup. On the other hand, some believed Shaheen was being scapegoated. Even if Shaheen underperformed or engaged in inappropriate behavior, the team’s overall performance, particularly the batting, was equally to blame. They argued that accountability should be collective, not targeted solely at Shaheen, as this could lead to further discord within the team.
Lastly, Waqar Younis, one of five advisers to the PCB Chairman, was a controversial figure among fans. Waqar has been associated with the PCB numerous times in the past, and his previous tenures as coach were marked by poor team performances and internal conflicts. Appointed in 2010, 2015, and 2019, Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals of the 2015 World Cup and the 2016 T20 World Cup under his leadership. His stints were marred by player dissatisfaction and criticism of his coaching methods. For instance, Mohammad Amir retired in 2020, citing “mental torture” and discomfort with Waqar and Misbah. Even Shahid Afridi had several confrontations with Waqar. Given this track record, Waqar’s appointment as an adviser seemed a regressive move, as it suggested that Pakistani cricket continues to operate in a cycle where familiar faces like Waqar, Inzamam, and Misbah keep returning to top positions. Pakistan isn’t short of cricketers, yet these names keep reappearing, often leading to decline rather than progress.
In conclusion, it appears that this “surgery” is far from what fans had hoped for. The early exit from the World Cup had one silver lining: the hope for significant changes. Fans expected Babar Azam to either resign or be dismissed after multiple chances and failures, but no updates on his future as captain have been forthcoming. Captains of other national teams, like Sri Lanka and New Zealand, resigned following their poor performances, but Pakistan’s leadership remains unchanged.
Fans also called for player salaries to be halved after their shameful performance, but instead, the players continue to enjoy participation in leagues with no repercussions. The PCB Chairman, who also serves as the Interior Minister, seems unable to focus adequately on his PCB duties. Many, including Shahid Afridi, have suggested that he choose one role to perform effectively. Without decisive action and major changes, this “surgery” risks becoming merely cosmetic, leaving the fundamental issues within Pakistan cricket unresolved.
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Umer Naveed is a student at the Institute of Business Administration Karachi (IBA). He is a sophomore, pursuing a degree in Economics and is enthusiastic about cricket, politics, and economics.