Imran Khan faces backlash over Pakistan’s poor performance in the Champions Trophy, with Najam Sethi attributing the team’s decline to management changes and political interference since 2019. Pakistan’s fall from grace has led to comparisons with Zimbabwe, highlighting deep-rooted issues within the cricketing structure. Despite the turmoil, Sethi believes recovery is possible with proper management and reform.
Imran Khan has been criticized for Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the Champions Trophy, with Najam Sethi, former PCB chairman, blaming him for the team’s decline. Pakistan, the reigning champions and host country, faced humiliation after losing both their opening matches in Group A, leading to an early tournament exit while being compared to Zimbabwe.
In a cutting social media post, Sethi expressed disbelief over Pakistan’s downfall, reminding followers of the team’s illustrious past as former world champions in ODI and T20 formats. He questioned how a team that once held the number one rankings in formats like T20s and Tests has sunk to such a low level, now paralleling teams like Zimbabwe.
Sethi attributed the team’s poor performance to changes initiated in 2019, when a new PCB management took charge under Imran Khan. He criticized the shift from a successful domestic cricket structure to an unsuitable model from Australia, asserting that political interference and inconsistent policies contributed significantly to Pakistan’s cricketing woes.
He elaborated on the mismanagement, detailing issues such as frequent changes of foreign coaches, arbitrary selection of selectors, and internal team conflicts leading to diminished performance. Sethi expressed that player conflicts and lack of cohesive management have culminated in the current state of disaster.
Despite the grim situation, Sethi is optimistic about rejuvenating Pakistan cricket. He believes that understanding the underlying issues and applying integrity, experience, and professionalism can help restore the team’s fortunes. Sethi’s tenure at the PCB has seen multiple transitions in leadership and structure, contributing to the team’s ongoing challenges since he was replaced by Ehsan Mani in 2019.
With the narrative reflecting on past successes juxtaposed against recent failures, the outlook for Pakistani cricket may hinge on effective reforms and leadership stability moving forward.
The article outlines Najam Sethi’s criticism of Imran Khan regarding Pakistan’s cricket team’s decline post-Champions Trophy exit. Sethi highlights management issues and political interference as critical factors in the team’s downturn, expressing hope for recovery if structural changes are made. Understanding and addressing these problems is essential for the future of Pakistan cricket, which has seen significant changes over recent years.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
