Pakistan cricket has been in a state of disarray in recent times, with the team suffering a string of disappointing performances. The Babar Azam-led side crashed out of the T20 World Cup 2024 following losses against USA and India. Things took a turn for the worse when they slumped to a humiliating Test series loss against Bangladesh, losing both matches.
Former Pakistan cricket team skipper Rashid Latif has delivered a brutal verdict on the condition of Pakistan cricket, stating that it is “currently in the ICU.” In a video circulating on social media, Latif said, “Pakistan cricket is currently in the ICU. They will need a professional doctor. They need technically sound professionals to run things, both physically and financially. Trainers and many other things are required. You can see there are many problems, whether it’s on the field or off the field.”
Latif also advised Babar Azam to move away from captaincy for the betterment of his game. Babar has not performed well in the past few international matches and has faced criticism from both fans and experts. Latif cited the example of India legend Sachin Tendulkar and advised Babar to concentrate more on his game.
“We need to remember that he was removed forcefully as captain. When the mind is not functioning correctly, it affects the nerves as well. You try to play hard on every ball. He should let go of the idea of being a captain and focus on freeing himself from mental pressure. The issue seems to be more about mental stress than technical performance, and it’s apparent that he is struggling to cope with a significant amount of mental pressure,” said Latif.
Pakistan cricket has been facing a number of challenges in recent years, including a lack of investment in grassroots cricket, poor coaching, and a lack of discipline among players. The team has also been plagued by injuries to key players, which has further hampered their performance.
If Pakistan cricket is to improve, it will need to address these challenges and make some fundamental changes. The team needs to invest more in grassroots cricket, improve coaching standards, and instill a greater sense of discipline among players. It will also need to find a way to manage the workload of key players and prevent injuries.
