Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has ignited fierce criticism, with former pacer Shoaib Akhtar launching a scathing attack on both captain Mohammad Rizwan and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). After New Zealand’s victory over Bangladesh officially eliminated Pakistan, Akhtar voiced his frustration over poor leadership and flawed selection policies, holding them responsible for the team’s underwhelming campaign.
Shoaib Akhtar Questions Rizwan’s Leadership and PCB’s Strategy
During a fiery discussion on PTV Sports, Shoaib Akhtar didn’t mince words, branding Rizwan’s captaincy as “abnormal” and pointing fingers at the PCB for repeatedly making questionable selection choices.
“I don’t have a personal grudge against these players. If I wasn’t paid to speak about Pakistan cricket, I wouldn’t even bother anymore. I’ve been pointing out these issues since 2011, and the decline has only become more obvious.”
Akhtar further highlighted how unstable leadership and bizarre decision-making have led to Pakistan’s downfall in major tournaments.
“You can’t expect a team to perform when you keep appointing captains who aren’t suited for the role. I’ve played under skippers who had three different personalities in a single day!”
Shoaib Malik & Mohammad Hafeez Challenge Akhtar
As Akhtar’s criticism grew sharper, former Pakistan captains Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez interrupted, throwing a counter-challenge at him—instead of criticizing from the sidelines, they urged him to step into the system and bring change himself.
Malik posed a direct challenge, stating:
“Why don’t you take the responsibility? Join the system and fix the mess yourself.”
Akhtar Offers to Revamp Pakistan’s Domestic Structure
In a dramatic twist, Akhtar accepted the challenge, saying he’s ready to reform Pakistan cricket, provided that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi hands him complete authority over the domestic setup.
“Hand me the domestic cricket system, and I’ll set things right. I’ll even sacrifice my personal life for the betterment of Pakistan cricket. I know what will happen to me in three years, but I’m still willing to take that risk.”
What’s Next for Pakistan Cricket?
With Pakistan cricket at a crossroads, Akhtar’s bold offer to restructure the system has sparked fresh debate. But will the PCB take him up on it, or will Pakistan cricket continue its downward spiral?
Join Sportssutra for all things cricket and never miss a moment of the action!
