Aaqib Javed criticized for Pakistan cricket decline

Former Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie and former cricketer Azhar Ali have both criticized Aaqib Javed, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director of high performance, for the current state of Pakistan cricket.

Gillespie described the situation as a ‘mess’ and stated that as long as Javed remains in his position, the sport in the country will continue to decline. He also criticized PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi for interfering in selection matters, suggesting the board needs strong leadership from cricket professionals who are allowed to make independent decisions.

Azhar Ali attributed Pakistan’s recent dismal performances, including a 2-0 Test series defeat against England, to poor decision-making over the last three years. Ali criticized Javed for attempting to shift blame onto players like Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed, noting that Javed himself appointed them. Ali suggested that if Javed cannot make a difference, he should step away from his role.