Lahore, Pakistan – February 27, 2025
Cricket runs in the blood of Pakistan, a country where the sport unites millions. But after the national team’s shocking collapse in the Champions Trophy, that passion has turned to frustration. The team, hosting the tournament, lost every match and bowed out early, sparking outrage among fans and prompting the government to take action. Rana Sanaullah, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has announced that the prime minister will address the crisis in the cabinet and parliament, signaling a major shake-up for Pakistani cricket.
A Tournament to Forget
The Champions Trophy was supposed to be Pakistan’s moment to shine. Hosting matches in Dubai and at home, the team had the crowd behind them and a chance to prove their worth. Fresh off wins against tough opponents like Australia and South Africa in one-day series, hopes were high. But those dreams crumbled fast. Pakistan fell to New Zealand in one match and then suffered a humiliating loss to arch-rivals India. Before fans could catch their breath, the team was out of the tournament.
Rana Sanaullah didn’t hold back when he spoke about the disaster. “The cricket board is an independent institution. They can do as they please, which they have. And what they’ve done, it is my personal opinion that I will request the prime minister to discuss the matter in the cabinet and parliament,” he said. His words point to a deeper problem: the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the group running the sport, has let the team.
Fans and Legends Speak Out
For Pakistanis, cricket isn’t just a game—it’s a source of pride. When the team fails, it stings. In Lahore, a city that lives for cricket, the mood was heavy after the losses. One fan summed it up: “We built stadiums but never formed a proper team. That’s why the world is playing, and we’re just watching.” The disappointment is real, and it’s shared by millions across the country.
Former players have joined the chorus of criticism. Wasim Akram, a hero of Pakistani cricket, slammed the team’s choices, especially the spinners who couldn’t get the job done. Shahid Afridi, another legend, told AFP, “In 2025, Pakistan was playing the cricket style of the 1980s and 1990s while other teams had progressed well to adopt an aggressive and modern style.” The message is clear: the team is stuck in the past while the rest of the world moves forward.
Sanaullah piled on, calling out the PCB for years of bad management. He even revealed that some mentors—hired to help the team—admitted to pocketing big salaries for doing next to nothing. That kind of waste has fans fuming and asking why their team keeps falling short.
What Went Wrong?
Pakistan’s cricket hasn’t always been this way. Back in 2017, they won the Champions Trophy, proving they could compete with the best. But since then, it’s been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. The recent wins against Australia and South Africa showed flashes of brilliance, but the Champions Trophy exposed the cracks. Sanaullah says the trouble starts at the bottom. Young players at the grassroots level—think local clubs and schools—aren’t getting the training or support they need to grow into stars. Without a strong foundation, the national team suffers.
The PCB’s leadership is another sore spot. Sanaullah called it a mess, saying the board has been run like a free-for-all. Decisions about players, coaches, and money seem to go nowhere, leaving the team unprepared for big moments like the Champions Trophy.
The Government Steps Up
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is now getting involved, and that’s a big deal. Sanaullah said the cricket crisis will soon be front and center in the cabinet and parliament. The plan is to fix the PCB and build a system that works from top to bottom. “There needs to be improvement, and there needs to be a system in the form of a stable board like there is in the rest of the world,” he explained.
What might that look like? Some want new people in charge of the PCB—leaders who know the game and can make smart calls. Others say the focus should be on finding young talent and giving them a real shot. Either way, the government is under pressure to turn things around. Fans have waited long enough.
But there’s a catch. The PCB is supposed to run itself, free from political meddling. If the government gets too involved, some worry it could backfire, creating more problems than it solves. It’s a tricky balance, and Sharif will need to tread carefully.
A Chance for Change
Pakistan’s cricket is at a crossroads. The Champions Trophy flop was a low point, but it could also be a turning point. The government’s push to step in shows how much the sport matters to the nation. If done right, this could be the start of something new—a chance to rebuild the team, fix the system, and bring back the pride that’s been missing.
For now, fans are holding onto hope. They remember the glory days and want them back. The stakes couldn’t be higher in a country where cricket is more than a pastime. The road ahead won’t be easy, but if the government and the PCB can work together, Pakistan’s cricket might rise again.