The Rot Within: How Political Patronage is Crushing Pakistan Cricket

By Salman Ahmad

Pakistan cricket, once a beacon of raw talent and exhilarating unpredictability, has descended into a morass of mediocrity. The recent ICC Champions Trophy 2025 debacle, where the hosts and defending champions finished dead last, is not an anomaly, but a symptom of a deeper, systemic malaise. It’s a crisis born of political interference, rampant corruption, and a fundamental disregard for the very essence of the sport.
The numbers speak for themselves. A single point, a dismal net run rate of -1.087, and the ignominy of being the worst-performing defending champion in the tournament’s history. Yet, amidst this abject failure, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will pocket $265,000. This stark contrast between performance and financial reward encapsulates the warped priorities that have crippled the nation’s cricketing infrastructure.
At the heart of this decay lies Mohsin Naqvi, the current PCB Chairman. A politician, not a cricketer, whose appointment is a testament to the suffocating grip of political patronage. His tenure has been marked by a series of embarrassing defeats, culminating in the Champions Trophy fiasco. Imran Khan, a cricketing legend and former World Cup-winning captain, rightly lambasts Naqvi’s leadership, warning of the sport’s impending destruction if "favorites" continue to occupy positions of power.
Khan’s critique is not merely anecdotal. It is a searing indictment of a system where political connections trump cricketing expertise. Allegations of corruption, including involvement in wheat procurement scandals and substantial property ownership in Dubai, further tarnish Naqvi’s credibility. His familial ties to Army Chief Asim Munir, contribute to the perception of a politically motivated appointment, fueling suspicions of undue influence.
The Islamabad massacre, where Naqvi's statements and actions have been scrutinized for potential complicity, adds another layer of controversy, painting a picture of a figure embroiled in political turmoil, far removed from the sanctity of the cricket pitch.
This is not simply a matter of poor results. It is a systemic failure that demands radical reform. Pakistan cricket needs to be liberated from the clutches of political interference. The PCB must be granted autonomy, its leadership appointed based on merit, not political allegiance. Transparency and accountability must be enshrined in its governance, with robust anti-corruption measures to combat match-fixing and other malpractices.
The lessons from cricketing giants like Imran Khan, Ian Chappell, and Clive Lloyd are clear. They were leaders who prioritized merit, integrity, and team cohesion. Khan, with his unwavering belief in merit-based selection, Chappell, with his fierce independence and advocacy for players' rights, and Lloyd, with his emphasis on building a strong team culture, all understood the fundamental principles that underpin cricketing success.
These legends would undoubtedly advocate for the same principles in Pakistan today. They would demand a PCB free from political meddling, a system where players are selected based on performance, and a culture of accountability that fosters trust and collaboration. They would stress the importance of stable leadership, minimizing the disruptive churn of coaches and captains that has plagued Pakistan cricket.
The current state of Pakistan cricket is a stark reminder that talent alone is not enough. It needs a nurturing environment, free from corruption and political interference, where merit is rewarded and accountability is paramount. The PCB must embrace these principles, or risk consigning Pakistan cricket to a perpetual cycle of failure.
The fans, who have long endured the heartbreak of underachievement, deserve better. They deserve a team that reflects the passion and talent of the nation, a team that can compete on the world stage with pride and integrity.