Former players and experts have been quite critical of Pakistan’s poor performance at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. One of the voices voicing concerns is that of former Pakistani cricketer Rashid Latif, who wasn’t shy about criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and stressing the value of education in cricket administration.
There was no way for the Men in Green to advance to the Super Eights round. Following defeats to co-hosts USA and India, they concluded third in Group A. This early departure has made the PCB examine the team’s overall administration, selection, and preparation.
Latif proposed that although there were accusations of cliques among the team, the PCB’s leadership is ultimately to blame.
This time, there appears to be a shift in attitude: Rashid Latif
He made the observation that, even though there had been few roster changes from previous World Cups, the team’s cohesiveness and mindset appeared to have changed.
“Turn back the clock and travel back in time. We participated in two World Cups, one in Australia (2022) and one in Dubai (2021). The team was nearly the same; this time, there have been three, possibly four, changes. This time, there seems to be a shift in the mentality. The Pakistani players were cohesive in the past, according to Latif, who posted on his YouTube account.
“I have always said that there are plenty of players who want to play, but the ones who are supposed to make the players play properly are missing and there is a glaring scarcity,” Latif stated.
Latif stressed the importance of stability in the locker room, which has been unsettled by frequent turnover in the PCB’s coaching staff and positions of leadership.
The dressing room’s atmosphere and behaviour are what ultimately make a decision. The coaching staff also shifts when there is a change in management or higher authority. The dressing room shouldn’t be unstable in the first place. Except for Pakistan, all of the cricket boards, particularly those that play Test matches, have ready themselves for the T20 World Cup,” he continued.
The former was particularly critical of Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, emphasising the role that education plays in cricket management.
“Education plays an important part that who is your chairman, who is he talking to,” he stated.
However, prior reports from numerous media outlets said that Pakistan’s head coach Gay Kirsten had mentioned the lack of togetherness within the team and the inappropriate nature of the team environment.
“The Pakistani squad, although they refer to it as such, lacks cohesion. They don’t help one another; instead, they are divided into left and right groups. Throughout my previous team projects, I have never encountered anything like this.
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