By Shahzaib • Wed Oct 01 2025
When Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi spoke last year about carrying out a “major surgery” in the national team, many assumed that the transition would be swift and effective. Just as a stadium can be demolished and rebuilt within months, expectations were high that a new, stronger squad would emerge in time for major tournaments.
But over a year later, the reality tells a different story. Between the T20 World Cup 2024 and the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan’s cricket management spent half that period deciding on a permanent coach and captain. By the time clarity arrived, the team was left with only six months of preparation for the next big challenge.
The question now is whether Pakistan has taken meaningful steps forward — or whether it has remained stagnant, perhaps even sliding backwards.
In the 2024 T20 World Cup group stages, Pakistan’s batting average stood at 20.41 runs per wicket, meaning batters typically scored 20 runs before losing a wicket. The bowling, while slightly more effective, averaged 16.89 runs per wicket taken. These figures contributed to Pakistan’s early elimination from the event and intensified calls to look beyond long-time stalwarts such as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
The Asia Cup 2025 was supposed to showcase a new philosophy, emphasizing strike rate over batting average. Yet, in six matches leading to the final, Pakistan’s batting average was 20.39 runs per wicket — virtually identical to the World Cup. Bowling numbers also offered little progress, as bowlers conceded 16.68 runs per wicket, slightly worse than before.
It’s true that conditions varied: American pitches in the World Cup aided pace bowlers, while the Emirates traditionally favor spin. Still, the overall challenge was similar — batting remained difficult, and bowling conditions were supportive. Despite this, Pakistan showed no measurable statistical improvement over the past 18 months.
The team still boasts big names and seasoned performers, yet the same structural weaknesses persist. The attempt to “rebuild” has so far failed to resolve deep-seated issues, leaving Pakistan with plenty of stardom but little progress.
Until consistent strategies and long-term development replace short-term fixes, Pakistan cricket risks staying caught between transition and decline, rather than leading Asian cricket.