Pakistan Cricket Board Under Fire, Says Shahzad

Despite reaching the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup, Pakistan failed to progress to the semi-finals, continuing a disappointing run throughout the tournament. Their woes were compounded by a heavy defeat in the recent ODI series against Bangladesh, leaving the team and its management under intense scrutiny. Amid mounting criticism, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, has come under the spotlight. Now, one of Pakistan’s star players, Ahmed Shehzad, has publicly accused the board of mismanagement and bias in team selection, asserting that these failures lie at the heart of the national team’s decline.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Shehzad expressed his frustration: “Five to seven years ago, the PCB had elevated players through the Pakistan Super League as strong brand representatives of our cricket. Today’s players simply do not meet that standard. A handful of six to eight players now dominate both the PSL and the national team. How can they change the country’s cricketing fortunes?”

He further criticised the board for favouring a select few players with sponsorships and leadership roles. “They invested heavily, promoted them relentlessly, made them PSL captains, and even handed over the national team’s responsibilities. But what have they delivered? Personal gain, not victories on the field. They have failed to bring significant wins for the nation,” Shehzad added.

The veteran batsman also questioned players’ sense of accountability. “Even after such huge failures, no one is willing to take responsibility. Blame games continue, but pride remains unbroken. The current PCB is so weak that it struggles with indecision at every level.”

Shehzad emphasised the board’s failure to nurture new talent: “Whenever a player faces criticism, stories are fabricated to shield them. I have never seen a weaker board in my life. Their job was to introduce fresh talent, but they haven’t. Instead, after every tournament, they attempt new strategies, which the public now sees through.”

Key Criticisms Highlighted by Shehzad

Shehzad’s remarks have reignited debate in Pakistan over the PCB’s policies and leadership, leaving fans questioning whether reform is urgently needed to restore the team’s competitiveness on the global stage.