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Ian Smith: Pakistan cricket a shadow of its formerly proud self
Ian Smith • March 19th, 2025 1:30 pm
Photo: Photosport
It's been a poor month or so for the Pakistan Cricket Board and for their players too, being harshly treated at the recent Champions Trophy, which for so long they had so looked forward to hosting.
At great expense, they rushed to prepare their stadiums with quick-fire upgrades only to play one game in the competition at home, a 60-run thrashing by our very own Blackcaps in Karachi.
Rain stopped them playing in Rawalpindi, which effectively washed out any chance of qualifying for and hosting some playoff action.
And, of course, they had to travel to Dubai to play India in a tournament they were allegedly hosting themselves. Despite being overwhelming sentimental favourites, they couldn't get it done there either.
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Pakistan players can't play in the IPL and earn those riches, or in fact, many of the leagues around the world which are principally Indian owned.
They throw Babar Azam up against Virat Kohli, as king against king. But of late, Virat is winning that head-to-head.
It's a volatile environment, Pakistan cricket. They've had more personnel changes amongst the board, the administrators, the selectors, coaches, and players than you can poke a stick at.
I'll challenge you and your mates over a few beers at any stage, name the last 10 Pakistan Captains, and I'll wager you'll only have to go back seven years or so to line them all up. It is a veritable revolving door of world cricket.
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Pakistan's best chance of world recognition is to perform well when given the chance on the world stage and on tours such as this one in New Zealand. And in all honesty, early signs are that they won't - or they just simply can't.
Gone it seems are the great days of Javed Miandad, Zahir Abbas, Majid Khan, the Mohammads, Imran Khan (what a God, what a life he leads), Wasim and Waqar, Anwar and co, who must all shake their heads in collective disbelief.
It's a bit of a rabble, and far from an easy one to exist in.
Listen to Mornings with Ian Smith, Mondays to Wednesdays, from 9am-12pm on Sport Nation.
