Pakistan’s lackluster performance in the recently concluded Champions Trophy has left fans and former players frustrated, with Imad Wasim being the latest to call out the team. The former all-rounder didn’t hold back, questioning Pakistan’s outdated playing style and warning that sticking to a backwards-thinking approach could spell trouble for the team’s future.
Imad Wasim, who retired from international cricket, has been vocal about this issue for years. In a video shared by cricket writer Saj Sadiq, he reflected on how his warnings were brushed aside by teammates and possibly the management.
“I’ve been saying this for years, and people laughed at me,” Imad Wasim said. “Even in team meetings, I pointed out that the world is going on a different path, and we’re still playing the same way.”
Imad Wasim’s comments shine a light on a long-standing problem in Pakistan cricket: an outdated style of play that just doesn’t cut it in today’s game. While other teams have embraced aggressive batting and fearless cricket, Pakistan seems stuck in the past, relying on old-school strategies that no longer work. This approach was painfully evident in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where Pakistan’s inability to adapt led to an early exit proving Imad Wasim’s point. Dot balls were a recurring issue, and while other teams racked up massive scores, Pakistan’s highest total in the tournament was a modest 260 in their opening game.
To make matters worse, they were the only team without a centurion in the entire competition.
This lack of adaptability has been a recurring theme in major tournaments, raising serious questions about the team’s direction. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seems to be taking yet another ad-hoc approach to address the problem, but history suggests this might not lead to long-term success.
Imad Wasim’s frustration is shared by fans and former players alike, who have repeatedly urged the team to embrace a more modern, aggressive style of cricket. Whether Pakistan finally heeds these warnings remains to be seen. But as Imad Wasim pointed out, this isn’t a new issue—and ignoring it clearly hasn’t worked so far.