“People will lose interest in Pakistan cricket”: Moin Khan slams PCB for systemic instability
KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has issued a stern warning regarding the future of the nation’s cricket, suggesting that the team’s persistent struggle on the international stage could soon render them an unattractive prospect for major cricketing nations.
In a scathing assessment of the current state of the sport, the 69-Test veteran criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national selection committee for a lack of institutional consistency, which he believes is driving the team toward a sporting crisis.
The Threat of Isolation
Speaking on a recent podcast, Moin Khan expressed deep concern over the national team’s performance across all formats, specifically highlighting the decline in Test cricket. He warned that if the trend of poor results continues, Pakistan cricket risks being pushed to the periphery of the global game.
“We have been struggling in all formats, but notably in Test matches,” Moin noted. “If this trend continues, I am afraid people will lose interest. We might find ourselves relegated to the bottom half of the cricket world, finding it difficult to secure bilateral series with top-tier teams.”
A Culture of Instability
Moin laid the blame squarely on the shoulders of the PCB, citing a revolving-door policy for captains, coaches, and selectors. He argued that the board frequently pivots based on individual agendas rather than following a long-term, cohesive strategy.
“Whenever a chairman or management team is changed, you see things shift in our system, which are not necessarily productive. So, where is the stability?” he questioned. “Unless you have continuity, faith in leadership, and a long-term vision, how can you expect to achieve good results?”
Shifting Priorities Among Players
The former wicketkeeper-batter also turned his sights on the players themselves, suggesting that the modern generation is prioritizing lucrative T20 leagues over the grueling process of honing their skills for international duty.
“It seems most players nowadays don’t give enough time to developing their skills and temperament,” Moin lamented. “It is more about how much money they can make in leagues rather than setting and reaching personal goals of excellence as a cricketer.”
Drawing a comparison to his own era, where playing for the national team was considered the ultimate honor, Moin noted that while players today earn exponentially more, they lack the “sacrifice and hard work” required to succeed under pressure. He revealed that he has given similar advice to his son, Azam Khan, emphasizing that national duty should always take precedence.
The Decline of Pace Excellence
Moin also addressed the decline in Pakistan’s legendary pace-bowling standards. Having played alongside icons such as Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar, he observed that modern bowlers appear unwilling to put in the necessary hours in the nets.
“The perfection of bowling on any pitch and increasing your pace only comes when you put in long hours,” Moin asserted. “The greats I played with worked extremely hard on their skills and fitness independently. That dedication seems to be missing today.”
Moin concluded by reiterating that financial rewards are a natural byproduct of success at the international level, urging current players to rediscover the passion for playing for their country before the systemic decay becomes irreversible.
