Azhar Ali blames PCB management and departmental cricket decline for Pakistan's poor performance

Former Pakistan cricket captain Azhar Ali has attributed the national team’s declining performance in Test cricket to the decline and potential elimination of departmental cricket. Describing departmental cricket as a vital ‘nursery’ for national talent, Ali expressed concern that the current direction of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is undermining player development.

The PCB recently excluded two long-standing departments, WPDA and Sahir Associates, from the 2026-27 domestic season due to their inability to meet new regulatory requirements. Ali criticized the PCB for its inconsistent management, noting that frequent changes to the system suggest a lack of long-term stability and effective planning. He argued that the continuous cycle of implementing and then abandoning systems prevents the development of consistent results.