Champions Trophy Disaster: Pakistan team falls victim to stubbornness of PCB officials, management and selectors

Pakistan’s disastrous performance in the ICC Champions Trophy has once again exposed the flaws within the team management, selectors, and PCB officials, whose stubbornness and lack of vision have cost the team dearly.  

The instability within the leadership structure was evident when Shaheen Afridi replaced Babar Azam as captain in 2023, only for Babar to regain the role after five matches. However, after continued failures, Babar stepped down in September, and Mohammad Rizwan was handed the captaincy.  

Despite winning ODI series against Australia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, Pakistan lacked consistency and professionalism. The team suffered an embarrassing defeat against the USA in the T20 World Cup, and the selectors failed to include a second spinner alongside Abrar Ahmed. Usama Mir, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Faisal Akram were overlooked, while promising fast bowlers Irfan Khan Niazi and Abbas Afridi also failed to make the cut.  

The team’s downfall was further highlighted in the triangular series and the ICC Champions Trophy, where Pakistan’s performance continued to decline.  

A major turning point came in 2023 when Babar Azam was removed as captain and replaced by Shaheen Afridi. However, after just five matches, Babar was reinstated. Even then, the team’s losing streak did not end, leading Babar to step down in September. Rizwan, despite taking over as captain, was unable to steer the team toward success.  

Pakistan’s shocking loss to the USA in 2024 was a major setback. Meanwhile, former Test pacer Wahab Riaz was quietly appointed to a position within the PCB headquarters.  

Adding to the chaos, two foreign head coaches, Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, resigned within six months due to dissatisfaction. Aaqib Javed was then appointed as the interim head coach.  

Pakistan’s decline became more evident when Bangladesh whitewashed them in a home Test series. The team continued to struggle, suffering defeats against lower-ranked teams like the USA, Ireland, and Zimbabwe.  

Pakistan failed to progress in three consecutive ICC events—the ODI World Cup in India, the T20 World Cup in the USA, and now the Champions Trophy, held in Pakistan and Dubai. Notably, India defeated Pakistan in all three tournaments.  

Cricket experts repeatedly advised selectors to include a second spinner alongside Abrar Ahmed, as most teams fielded multiple spinners. Despite having options like Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Faisal Akram, the selectors refused to make the necessary adjustments.  

Pakistan’s fast bowling trio—Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf—was once considered among the most dangerous in the world. However, they failed to live up to expectations. The trio was rested during Test series to keep them fresh for ODIs, but they failed to deliver in the triangular series and the Champions Trophy.  

Babar Azam, regarded as one of the world’s premier batters, also struggled to find form. Meanwhile, Usman Khan remained with the squad for nine matches without playing a single game but was still included in the Champions Trophy squad.  

Pakistan’s cricketing woes continue, with talented players like Irfan Khan Niazi and Abbas Afridi failing to meet the selectors' criteria. As a result, the team remains in turmoil, with no clear direction for the future.