Fri Mar 21 09:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan Cricket Crisis Deepens Amidst New Zealand Whitewash and Leadership Turmoil
**LAHORE, PAKISTAN** – Pakistan’s national cricket team is facing a major crisis, suffering a humiliating 2-0 T20I series defeat against a second-string New Zealand side. The losses, following a string of poor performances in recent ICC events, have sparked widespread outrage and calls for sweeping changes within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi led the criticism, lambasting the team’s reckless batting approach, questionable selection policies, and inconsistent leadership. He highlighted the selection of inexperienced players, particularly the imbalance of spinners and pacers chosen for different series, and questioned the short tenure of captain Mohammad Rizwan. Afridi also criticized the PCB’s frequent changes in leadership, noting the high turnover of chairmen since the turn of the century – a staggering 14 changes.
Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq echoed these concerns, highlighting the team’s declining performance over the past two years and urging the PCB to learn from its mistakes. Former cricketer Sikandar Bakht went further, demanding stricter measures, including mandatory domestic tournament participation for centrally contracted players who receive substantial salaries. He called for PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to take a firmer stance and enforce these measures, even suggesting the potential suspension of central contracts.
The current captain, Salman Agha, appointed after Rizwan’s dismissal following a disappointing Champions Trophy performance, has yet to turn the team’s fortunes around. The series defeat underscores the deep-seated problems plaguing Pakistan cricket, prompting urgent calls for reform and accountability within the PCB.
First Piper 