Renowned Cricket Pundit Blames Former Cricketers for Pakistan’s Decline

As the discord from Pakistan’s abysmal Champions Trophy campaign continues to dominate the news cycle, cricketing pundit Dr Nauman Niaz has interestingly pointed the finger at former cricketers for the current state of Pakistan’s cricket team. The foremost voice for cricket in Pakistan also called for them to step aside so the sport can once again progress.

In an online conversation with Rashid Latif on their show Caught Behind, the duo agreed that the blame lies with the cricketers from the 1990s without naming any names. “If all these guys from the 90s collectively step aside, maybe Pakistan cricket gets better,” Nauman Niaz bluntly stated.

Rashid echoed the same sentiments while adding his own thoughts on the matter. “These guys are wreaking havoc. They keep praising each other now, but all throughout their lives, they fought. Just throw some money at them, and they are ready to do whatever,” Rashid Latif added.

“Whoever is the chairman, however, he takes the post, does not matter; just get rid of these guys. You did nothing in your time, and now you want to be a mentor, coach, or adviser and claim that you want to serve cricket,” Nauman Niaz added during the exchange.

Dr Nauman @(@DrNaumanNiaz) & Rashid Latif (@iRashidLatif68) saying 90s and early 2000s Pakistani cricketers has destroyed PCT.

Indirectly taking a dig on Wasim (@wasimakramlive), Waqar (@waqyounis99), Shoaib (@realshoaibmalik), Inzi & Yousuf.

pic.twitter.com/Z4YDEqKokM

— M (@anngrypakiistan) March 5, 2025

While the duo did not name any players, their indications could not have been any clearer. Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar are the most likely names being alluded to by Dr Nauman Niaz. The trio has been a fixture in studios and commentary boxes since retiring from the game and have continued to enjoy lucrative employment within the PCB for quite some time now. However, they have continued to bash the decline of the Pakistan cricket team despite having a direct correlation with the issue.

Looking further, Aaqib Javed, Pakistan’s “interim” head coach, is a former player from the same era, while Saqlain Mushtaq, who is in the running for the head coaching gig, was once their teammate as well.

Nauman Niaz and Rashid Latif’s criticism holds up when the PCB’s current administrative setup comes under a microscope. While their advice is likely to fall on deaf ears, Pakistan cricket can only thrive when a proper structure is introduced, which may not be possible without a complete clear-out and overhaul.