Following India’s emphatic victory over Pakistan, disappointment gripped fans across the border. Speaking on ABP News, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar delivered a blunt assessment of Pakistan cricket’s decline. Akhtar stated that the real “culprit” behind Pakistan’s repeated defeats is the system itself. He criticized the lack of infrastructure, poor management, and the presence of “unqualified and incompetent people” running the setup. According to him, Pakistan cricket has been deteriorating for the past 15–20 years due to selfish administration and weak long-term planning. Referring to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Akhtar said Naqvi is hardworking but may not have deep cricketing knowledge and might not be receiving the right advice. He also questioned player selection, the culture of building “stars” who fail in big matches, and the overall lack of accountability. While acknowledging India’s dominance, Akhtar admitted there is currently no real contest between the two teams. He warned that Pakistan cricket’s downfall is not good for world cricket and stressed the urgent need for structural reforms, stronger domestic cricket, and expansion of the PSL.
