Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has unleashed a fierce critique of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), captain Salman Agha, and head coach Mike Hesson after Pakistan’s disappointing defeat to India in the Asia Cup 2025 final. In a fiery interview, Akhtar blamed weak leadership, flawed planning, and years of poor management for Pakistan’s struggles on the big stage.
“Captain Doesn’t Deserve His Place”
During an appearance on ARY News, Akhtar questioned the leadership qualities of Salman Agha and accused him of failing to inspire the team.
“Where will the attitude come when the captain [Salman Agha] is not inspiring. When the captain doesn’t deserve his place in the side, what can he do to inspire? … Captain is a reflection of the cricket board’s choices. Pakistan team’s performances are a reflection of the coaches,” Akhtar said.
The former fast bowler also slammed Mike Hesson’s selection decisions, suggesting they played a major role in Pakistan’s defeat.
“You have brought in a coach [Mike Hesson] who isn’t willing to listen to stuff. We have died here (on channels) telling him, play one more fast bowler bhai, and one more batsman in Hasan Nawaz. But the coach says no, he wants to play half-baked allrounders. They can’t win you the matches in critical situations.”
“Senseless and Headless-Chicken Management”
Akhtar accused the PCB of running the team without a clear strategy and called the management “clueless” in its approach.
“Senseless and headless-chicken management. The team combinations weren’t right, the captaincy wasn’t spot-on, and they weren’t willing to listen to us (former players talking on channels). I don’t think the captain justifies his place in the middle order and as a spinner.”
“We Want Obedient Kids, Not Fast Bowlers”
The 48-year-old also lamented the sharp decline of Pakistan’s once-famous pace battery, blaming the board’s policies for breeding mediocrity instead of nurturing raw talent.
“Humey ab shareef bacche chahiyen (we now want obedient kids), jo aaath baje curfew lagake ghar pey bait jaayen (who will sit inside rooms after 8pm curfew). Cricket board ko in jaisey bechare, lallu-kattu chahiye (the board wants these kinds of kids). They don’t want strong personalities. This is the reflection of the policies of the PCB.”
“I Will Never Join PCB”
Explaining why he has chosen to stay away from cricket administration since retirement, Akhtar said the environment inside the PCB is toxic.
“From the first day after my retirement, I had decided that I will never join PCB as whoever has gone there, has never come out with respect. I work in TV, take money and sit. These guys don’t want strong personalities.”
“PSL 2.0 and Grassroots Investment”
Akhtar revealed that he had proposed a plan to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi aimed at reviving Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure and creating a sustainable talent pipeline.
“I had even sent in a proposal. PSL 2.0 kar lein, create 8 new regions, make 7-8 new teams, create a pool of 15,000 players, invest money in domestic. I am talking about PSL 2.0 that starts at a smaller junior grassroots level, not the PSL that is going on. If you don’t invest there at junior level, where will the kids emerge?”
“India Has a System, Pakistan Doesn’t”
Drawing a sharp comparison with India, Akhtar highlighted how India’s emphasis on grassroots development has transformed their cricketing ecosystem.
“Their players come from a system at the grassroots. If a batsman doesn’t make 4000 runs in domestic, or bowls 2000 balls a season they don’t allow them to enter. Me, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis used to bowl 1500-2000 balls per season, including nets. Shaheen Shah Afridi doesn’t have the accuracy because he hasn’t bowled that many balls.”
“Only a Visionary Can Change PCB”
Akhtar warned that without a forward-thinking and educated leadership at the helm, Pakistan cricket’s problems will persist.
“So, all these things will continue. Now there is Mohsin Naqvi, next time koi aur saab aa jayenge, Najeem Sethi or someone else. Nizam chalta rahega, hoga kuch nahi. Unless you bring in a visionary educated man… Now Naqvi still has a chance to correct the system. They have the money, opportunity – do it. History will remember that you started this.”
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