Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar provided his analysis of the nation’s cricket system during an appearance on ARY News. Akhtar attributed the current Pakistan team’s perceived lack of “spark” to uninspiring leadership, specifically mentioning captain Salman Agha, and linked team performance directly to coaching. He further suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) prefers to cultivate “timid, mediocre players” rather than fostering “strong personalities,” drawing a contrast with the player development strategies observed in other cricketing nations. Akhtar also stated his personal decision to avoid joining the PCB, citing a belief that individuals with strong views do not receive due respect within the organization. He detailed a proposal he claims to have submitted to PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, which includes establishing a “PSL 2.0,” creating eight new regions and several new teams, developing a pool of 15,000 players, and significantly increasing investment in domestic and junior-level cricket to ensure future talent emergence. Akhtar underscored the necessity of robust grassroots investment for sustainable player development.
Source: indianexpress.com