Former Pakistan cricketer and commentator Bazid Khan has voiced strong criticism over the state of Pakistan cricket, claiming the team is no longer capable of competing with elite nations like India and Australia. His comments come in the wake of Pakistan’s 4-1 T20I series defeat to New Zealand, which exposed several weaknesses in both the batting and bowling departments.
Bazid, who played 6 international matches for Pakistan, challenged the long-standing perception that the team remains among cricket’s elite due to its past successes in ICC tournaments. “We feel entitled, as if we should be winning World Cups regularly. But how many have we actually won?” he asked, pointing out that Pakistan’s last ICC triumph was in 2017 with the Champions Trophy, while India and Australia have each won two ICC titles since then.
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He further highlighted the widening gap between Pakistan and top-tier teams like India and Australia. “You are not on Australia’s level, not on India’s level,” Bazid remarked, adding that Pakistan’s current form no longer supports the notion of being a top team.
Concerns Over Shaheen Afridi’s Form and Lack of Depth
Bazid also addressed the struggles of Pakistan’s bowling unit, particularly fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi’s disappointing performance in the recent series. Afridi took only two wickets in five matches at an average of 66.50, raising concerns about his form ahead of future tournaments. Bazid argued that Pakistan’s cricket system has failed to develop new talent, leaving the team overly reliant on Shaheen with no strong alternatives emerging from Tests or ODIs.
“If Shaheen Shah Afridi isn’t delivering, who else do we have? There is no new bowler emerging from Tests or ODIs,” Bazid said, pointing out the stagnation in Pakistan’s talent pipeline.
He emphasized the need for Pakistan cricket to evolve with the changing landscape of international cricket, noting that other teams have progressed, while Pakistan’s development has stalled. “The situation has deteriorated to the extent that we’re now comparing ourselves with New Zealand—when, not too long ago, we considered them a team well behind us.”
As the T20 World Cup approaches, Bazid’s comments reflect growing concerns over Pakistan’s ability to rebuild and reestablish itself among cricket’s top nations.
