Nasser Hussain highlights issues plaguing Pakistan cricket, calls for consistency

Former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain has voiced concerns over the persistent issues affecting Pakistan's cricket team, focusing not just on the performance of the players but also on the dysfunctional corporate structures surrounding the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Hussain, who has transitioned into a respected commentator, gained firsthand insight into the turmoil within Pakistan cricket during England’s recent series against Pakistan. He and fellow commentator Michael Atherton often found themselves questioning the instability within the PCB, particularly the frequent changes in the selection panel, coaching staff, and even the chairmanship.

Reflecting on the chaos, Hussain remarked, "I’ve always said I’m amazed how well Pakistan do with everything that goes on behind the scenes. Some of it is controllable—captains, coaches, selectors—with constant changes. I don’t know of any business or sporting environment where a lack of consistency behind the scenes can result in team success."

The recent performance of the Pakistani team further underscores Hussain's concerns. The team’s removal of Shaheen Afridi as captain after just one series, along with shocking defeats to the USA in the T20 World Cup and Bangladesh in the Test series at home, has raised doubts about the team’s morale. The sudden dropping of star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah from the England series only added fuel to the fire.

"The inconsistency in decision-making has rattled the players," Hussain noted. "It’s clear that behind-the-scenes instability affects the team's performance. Pakistan's cricket has often thrived despite these issues, but the results recently suggest it’s becoming harder to maintain that success."

The dismissal of former coach Gary Kirsten was another blow to the PCB, perfectly encapsulating the structural issues highlighted by Hussain. 

"Some of it is uncontrollable with finances and the way the game is divided up, and you know, things like that. But you know, Pakistan at times have been successful in spite of everything that goes on behind the scene, not because of it. And there’s, you know, two really good weeks and a real out in Pakistan cricket, the very next day, you know, Gary Kirsten resigned as coach, and it continues," he said.

However, the former England captain remains hopeful about Pakistan's future. He pointed to Pakistan’s recent performances against Australia, suggesting that things might be on the up.

"I hope what we saw in the last couple of weeks in Pakistan is the start of some good times," Hussain added. "Consistency is key. Give the captain and coach the team they want, make players feel secure in their roles, and stop the revolving door of selectors and leadership. That’s the only way to build a team that can achieve long-term success."

On a lighter note, when asked about the possibility of him taking over as the PCB chairman, Hussain laughed off the idea, joking, "I would only last a couple of weeks as Chairman of PCB."