NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricket is going through a major crisis. With the team already 2-0 down in the three-Test series against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a series of sudden changes that have raised more questions than answers. Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Atiq-uz-Zaman has expressed his disappointment over the situation, saying the team is currently “in shambles” and at an “all-time low”.Pakistan suffered a heavy 194-run defeat at Lord’s in the second Test. Soon after, the PCB made a major overhaul ahead of the third and final Test at Edgbaston, starting September 9.Seven players, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were sent home. White-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke were asked to take charge of the red-ball team, while former captain Misbah-ul-Haq resigned from the selection panel and also stepped away from his batting consultant role at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.The changes have added to the uncertainty around a Pakistan team already struggling across formats.
‘Pakistan cricket is in shambles’
Atiq-uz-Zaman questioned the decision to make so many changes in the middle of a Test series, especially the decision to send some players home.“I don’t understand why Khurram Shehzad was dropped or why the spinner (Ali Usman) was sent home after taking the most wickets in the Leeds Test. All of a sudden, now T20 bowlers are brought into the Test squad. Why? Because Mike Hesson has his personal favourites, and he brought those players into Test cricket.“I don’t understand what’s going on. Pakistan cricket is in shambles at the moment. It really hurts me because, even though I live in England, I am Pakistani at heart. I played for my country and I want them to improve and perform well in different conditions. Pakistan cricket is currently at an all-time low,” Atiq-uz-Zaman told IANS.
‘There is no justification for it’
He also questioned the decision to remove Sarfaraz and Gul from their coaching roles midway through the series.“There is no justification for it. The same people who selected them are the ones turning around and deselecting them. That means either you made a mistake in the first place, or you are making a mistake right now.“Look, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul are greats of Pakistan cricket. They’ve won World Cups for Pakistan. Sarfaraz won a World Cup at the U19 level and then won the Champions Trophy as national captain. He deserves respect. Now, I personally didn’t agree with him becoming the Pakistan Test team head coach because he lacked prior coaching experience and qualifications.“I didn’t support that appointment. But once you make him the coach, you have to back him. Give him a fair chance before you disrespect him and send him home in the middle of a Test series. It is unacceptable. I feel very sorry for Sarfaraz and Umar Gul because I don’t think they did anything wrong. If the players on the field can’t perform, or if you haven’t selected a team capable of performing, what is a coach supposed to do? Let’s see what Mike Hesson does now,” he added.
Atiq questions Imam’s decision not to bat
Atiq-uz-Zaman also criticised Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq, who did not bat in the Lord’s Test after suffering a Grade 1 tear in his left calf.Imam did come out for some batting practice despite the injury, but his decision not to bat in the Test drew criticism.Atiq said he would have expected the opener to come out and bat even if he was not fully fit.“Look, I won’t speculate on the exact severity of his injury, but in our culture, we are raised to be tough. If you have a Grade 1, 2, or even Grade 3 muscle strain, you still step out there and bat for your team. Even if you get out on the first ball, it doesn’t matter – the public sees that you showed heart, and they respect you for it.“Instead, he made himself look bad by not batting in either innings, and then walking out in front of the media in shorts with bandages on his leg and heavily limping – even if you can’t run, you can still hit a ball. Look at Glenn Maxwell scoring a double hundred with severe hamstring cramps, or Chris Woakes coming out to bat with a fractured hand. Look at Saleem Malik playing against West Indies fast bowlers with a broken arm.“Imam-ul-Haq should have walked out to bat. Even if he got out immediately, nobody would have questioned his commitment because he was genuinely injured. But limping around in front of the media after taking criticism the day before just looks like a performance.“It leaves a bad impression, and I have no sympathy for that behaviour. If you don’t have the heart or bravery for international cricket, you shouldn’t be playing Test matches. Test cricket isn’t just a test of your skills – it’s a test of your character,” he elaborated.
‘Enjoy your cricket and believe in your skills’
Despite his criticism, Atiq-uz-Zaman backed the players to respond in the final Test at Edgbaston.He said Pakistan players have grown up in a difficult system and must focus on their cricket despite the uncertainty around them.“To be honest, in Pakistan, players are used to this environment from domestic, U16, and U19 cricket. We are raised in a tough system where you rarely get total freedom or backing, and you always feel like you are playing under threat just to survive. My message to them is: enjoy your cricket, believe in your skill set, do what you can with bat and ball, and leave the rest to God.”
‘Talent in Pakistan is undeniably there’
Atiq, who works as a scout for England women’s, Lions and Young Lions and coaches the Germany men’s team, also called for major changes at the PCB level.He believes Pakistan has enough talent but needs better leadership, planning and support to develop that talent.“Hopefully, the PCB chairman changes his approach and brings in someone with genuine expertise and leadership experience to drive real structural change. If you surround the team with quality, professional individuals, they will instill high standards. The talent in Pakistan is undeniably there, but without the right resources and supportive structure, these players cannot reach the next level.”
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