Pakistan cricket’s downward spiral: Is there a way forward?

The Champions Trophy 2025 is officially over. But for most Pakistan fans, the tournament ended the moment their team suffered a crushing defeat against India in the most-anticipated match. What was expected to be a thrilling contest turned into a one-sided affair, further deepening the sense of despair surrounding Pakistan cricket.

For years, Pakistan fans have rallied behind their team with unshakable belief. Even after humiliating losses, they have hoped for redemption in the next encounter. However, recent performances have chipped away at that faith.

The inability to win global tournaments, coupled with Pakistan’s abysmal record against India in ICC events, has now made fans indifferent rather than hopeful. The once-passionate debates over team selection, strategies, and potential match-winners have been replaced by resignation—an acceptance that Pakistan cricket is simply not competitive at the highest level anymore.

What’s going wrong?

Pakistan’s struggles cannot be pinned on a single factor. There is a systemic failure across all levels, from talent development to team selection and leadership.

The lack of a structured domestic system, inconsistent team combinations, and poor strategic planning have all contributed to this decline. While India has invested in grassroots cricket, built a solid domestic structure, and nurtured players through the IPL, Pakistan’s cricketing framework remains outdated and mismanaged.

Plenty of disappointment in the Pakistan camp 😞 #ChampionsTrophy #cricket #cricketreels

Plenty of disappointment in the Pakistan camp 😞 #ChampionsTrophy #cricket #cricketreels

Moreover, mental fragility in high-pressure situations has plagued Pakistan’s team. The players seem to lack the belief and temperament required to handle crucial moments in big games. This psychological barrier, combined with technical deficiencies in batting and bowling, makes Pakistan an easy target for top teams.

A reality check: The numbers don’t lie

Aaqib Javed, the team’s interim head coach, before the India match touted the pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf as “one of the best in the world.”

However, the stats tell a different story. Naseem has lost pace, while Afridi has been mismanaged to the extent that he was “rested” for Tests in South Africa after playing all sorts of significantly less important cricket.

Shaheen Shah Afridi has been Pakistan’s bowling spearhead for a while now, but his recent performances have fallen short of expectations.Reuters

• In 2025, Shaheen Shah Afridi has played five matches, picking up just eight wickets at an average of 42.62 and an economy rate of 7.25.
• Naseem Shah has also played five matches, claiming five wickets at an average of 56.20 and an economy rate of 6.10.
• Haris Rauf, despite being hailed as a match-winner, has played only three ODIs this year, managing three wickets at an average of 52.66 and an economy rate of 6.77.

No matter how you spin it, these numbers are anything but “world-class.”

Even more concerning is Pakistan’s spin department. It is mind-boggling that Pakistan hasn’t produced a great spinner since Saeed Ajmal. Even during their lowest phases, Pakistan’s bowling attack commanded respect and had the ability to turn games around. Today, however, it lacks the consistency and firepower needed to intimidate opponents, producing only fleeting moments of brilliance.

Does Abrar Ahmed offer hope for Pakistan’s years-long drought of spin bowlers in limited overs cricket?AFP

This is not a team in transition; rather, it is one that should already be built around a core of five or six players at their peak, leading the charge with consistent performances. However, the Babar Azam-led batting unit has lagged nearly a decade behind the rest of the world. The issue is not just about intent or awareness—it is about an outright failure to evolve with the modern game.

Babar Azam himself, despite being Pakistan’s most celebrated batter, has a poor record in major tournaments. Apart from a lone standout innings against New Zealand in the 2019 ODI World Cup, he has failed to deliver in crucial matches. His ODI stats against India further expose the gap:

• Babar Azam averages 30.12 against India with a strike rate of 76.26—numbers that fall well below elite standards in modern-day cricket

India's Hardik Pandya celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Babar Azam (R) during the ICC Champions Trophy one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Pakistan and India at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on February 23, 2025.AFP

In today’s cricket, evolution is key. Opposition teams quickly analyze weaknesses and adapt accordingly. Since Pakistan’s last great triumph in ODI cricket—the 2017 Champions Trophy—no batter has consistently improved to reach the top level. The failure to keep pace with global cricketing trends has left Pakistan stagnant while the rest of the world moves forward.

A reflection of a larger problem

The results given by the Pakistani cricket team these days are a mere reflection of Pakistani society in general, where mediocrity is considered acceptable.

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From politics to education and from governance to sports, the nation has embraced a culture where excellence is no longer pursued with urgency. The cricket team's struggles mirror the broader issues plaguing Pakistan—lack of meritocracy, mismanagement, and an inability to adapt to modern standards.

If mediocrity continues to be tolerated in society, it is unrealistic to expect our sports, including cricket, to function any differently.

The way forward

If Pakistan wants to reclaim its past glory, urgent reforms are needed at every level of cricket development. The following steps could serve as a roadmap for improvement:

1. Revamping the domestic structure: Pakistan needs a robust, competitive domestic system that consistently produces world-class cricketers. The revival of departmental cricket, coupled with a proper franchise-based league beyond the PSL, could create a sustainable talent pipeline.
2. Investment in player development: Pakistan must focus on honing technical skills and fitness standards. A dedicated high-performance center, run by the best international coaches, should be established to prepare players for modern cricket’s demands.
3. A clear, long-term vision: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) needs to adopt a long-term approach rather than reacting to short-term failures. This includes backing players through rough patches, appointing a stable leadership group, and formulating a well-defined selection policy.
4. Mental conditioning and match preparation: Pakistani cricketers need to be trained to handle pressure better. Engaging sports psychologists and investing in mental conditioning programs will help players perform in crunch situations.
5. Better exposure to global cricketing standards: Pakistan’s isolation from international cricket for nearly a decade hurt its development. Securing more bilateral series against top teams, encouraging players to play in foreign leagues, and learning from the best should be a priority.

Final thoughts

Losing to India is no longer just about statistics; it’s about the psychological impact on players and fans alike. The reality is grim, but all hope is not lost—provided Pakistan cricket embraces change.

Passion alone is no longer enough; professionalism, strategic planning, and structural reforms are the need of the hour. If serious steps are taken today, Pakistan cricket can once again rise to compete with the best.

But if complacency continues, fans must brace themselves for more heartbreaks and dwindling hope.