Pakistan cricket team’s below-par performances this year have not gone unnoticed by the Director of High Performance and national selector Aaqib Javed, who has claimed that the country’s cricket is finally heading toward a long-overdue revival and he believes fans will begin to see tangible progress within the next year.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to Hyderabad’s iconic Niaz Stadium, Pakistan’s former interim coach reflected on the team’s fluctuating performances in recent years. He acknowledged that the lack of infrastructure and the absence of international cricket at home for over a decade had left a lasting impact on the system.
“For 12 to 15 years, we didn’t have proper grounds or academies. At first, it didn’t look like a big problem, but once your player pipeline dries up, the gap becomes visible,” Aaqib Javed said.
He noted that while Pakistan cricket once thrived on natural talent and raw ability, the modern game demands structure, professionalism, and continuity. These qualities, he said, were lost when international cricket disappeared from Pakistan’s soil after 2009.
Despite those challenges, Aaqib Javed expressed optimism. He described the present as a transitional phase for Pakistan cricket, one that is already showing promise through the emergence of new talent.
“There’s hope in the youngsters,” he said. “Even from Hyderabad, players are close to representing the national side. You’ll start seeing visible improvement within the next year.”
Aaqib Javed revealed that he is currently touring cities such as Quetta, Hyderabad, and Peshawar to strengthen grassroots cricket. He considers this the foundation that will restore Pakistan’s pipeline of talent.
“From under-15s to seniors, every player needs the right environment. Without that, your cricket structure collapses,” he warned.
Although Pakistan was once considered among the best cricket teams in the world, it has quickly lost ground to its rivals over the past decade. This decline is reflected in its performances on the international stage. However, with the Pakistan Cricket Board now focusing on grassroots development, the tide may be beginning to turn.
As Pakistan cricket works to rebuild its structure from the bottom up, Aaqib Javed’s optimism offers a refreshing perspective — one grounded in experience, realism, and the belief that the country’s next golden generation may be on the horizon.