Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has criticized Pakistan cricket’s decline, linking it to leadership changes, particularly Sarfaraz Ahmed’s removal as captain. He made these remarks during a recent sports show discussing Pakistan’s cricket trajectory.
Amir said that the departure of Mickey Arthur as head coach and Sarfaraz Ahmed’s exit from captaincy marked a “dark moment” for Pakistan cricket. “From that point onward, Pakistan cricket would go down, not up,” he stated. He added that even off the record, he had warned friends that any rise from that point would be remarkable.
He emphasized that the team has continued to decline since Sarfaraz Ahmed’s removal. “It has gone into decline, and it is still going down,” Amir said, highlighting the long-term impact of these leadership changes.
Amir also criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for mishandling subsequent captaincy transitions, particularly regarding Babar Azam. He said that reinstating Babar immediately after removing him in 2023 was a major error. According to Amir, this decision triggered internal rivalries within the team.
“When the system creates competition within the team in a negative way, the entire side suffers,” he explained. He stressed that unity in the dressing room is essential, adding, “Once politics enters the dressing room, cricket will suffer.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 remain slim. Their qualification depends on a combination of match results and net run-rate calculations in Super Eights Group 2.
After two matches, Pakistan sits third in the group with one point. Their match against New Zealand was washed out, and they suffered a defeat to England. England, on the other hand, remains unbeaten and has already secured a semi-final spot.
Amir’s remarks underline concerns about leadership stability and team unity, suggesting that past decisions, including Sarfaraz Ahmed’s removal, continue to affect Pakistan cricket’s performance. Analysts argue that the team needs strong internal management and consistent leadership to restore competitiveness at international events.
The upcoming matches in the T20 World Cup will be critical for Pakistan, as the team seeks to overcome both on-field challenges and the lingering effects of past leadership decisions.
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