PAK vs ENG: Shoaib Akhtar criticizes PCB’s "selfish" pitch strategy in England series

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has voiced his frustration over the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) pitch preparation strategy, accusing the board of adopting a "selfish approach" by setting up spin-friendly wickets for the ongoing Test series against England. 

The outspoken former player made his comments as the third and final Test began in his hometown, Rawalpindi, on a turning track.

Akhtar’s remarks follow Pakistan’s disappointing innings defeat by 47 runs in the first Test on a flat Multan pitch, where bowlers struggled to make an impact. However, in the second Test at the same venue, Pakistan leveled the series with a 152-run win as spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan claimed all 20 English wickets on a track tailored to aid spin. The Rawalpindi Test is once again being played on a surface expected to favor spin.

“When you don’t put the right people in the right jobs and you put the wrong mindset on the wrong jobs, this is exactly what happens,” Akhtar said while speaking on Test Match Special.

The former pacer, who has taken 444 international wickets for Pakistan, argued that Pakistan’s cricketing woes are a culmination of two decades of poor decision-making.

“The division and decline we see today didn’t happen overnight. “I often complained to my captains: ‘Why are you making dead pitches?” he said, emphasizing that the PCB should prioritize competitive pitches that support all aspects of the game.

According to the 49-year-old, the board's decision to rely on turning pitches reflects an inability to foster well-rounded skill development in players. 

“What do we do from here? We either take a selfish approach, make a spinning track, to win games. Or we save the game (Test cricket),” he said.

“I often complained to my captains: ‘Why are you making dead pitches?”