Wasim Akram Says Pakistan’s Problems Go Far Beyond the National Team

Wasim Akram believes Pakistan’s decline cannot be fixed by tinkering with the national side. Speaking to The Athletic before the third Test against England at Edgbaston, the former Pakistan captain said the deeper problems lie in the structures beneath the top level.

A system without depth

Akram said he is often asked whether he could help Pakistan cricket, but feels the issues are much deeper: the leading players are there, he said, but little exists below them. He described the domestic first-class structure as having been all over the place in recent years, with no consistency and no patience, and added a Pakistani saying that it takes two hands to clap.

No surprise at the results

The results against England did not shock him. He said he knew before the series that Pakistan would lose 3-0. In his assessment, the batting is struggling, the bowling is below average and the fielding is worse, and he called it simple to see.

The presence of several debutants in the squad for the third Test underlined worries about depth and the shortage of experienced players.

The case for reform

Akram argues that instability in first-class cricket directly affects the quality of players reaching the national team, and that its effects now show in batting, bowling and fielding. He also suggested the wider environment, including fans’ expectations and mentality, is affected.

His comments point to a need for long-term reform rather than quick fixes, with administrators, coaches, players and other stakeholders all playing a part.