“Give me the domestic for three years…”: Shoaib Akhtar’s Unique Challenge to PCB Following Their Exit

Pakistan cricket is in turmoil again, and former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has made a bold statement, claiming that if he’s given full control of domestic cricket, he will fix all the team’s issues. His challenge to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) came after the Men in Green’s disappointing ICC Champions Trophy campaign.

Pakistan’s Horror Champions Trophy Campaign

Nothing seemed to go right for Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy. Just three balls into their first match, they lost both key openers. Saim Ayub was already out, and then Fakhar Zaman suffered a knee injury while fielding. This forced an ill-advised shuffle in the batting order.

Babar Azam, one of the world’s best No. 3 batters, was pushed to open in Saim’s absence. The move backfired as he struggled to find his rhythm. While he did manage a half-century in one match, it was a slow knock that did little to help his team’s chances. Against India, he fell into Hardik Pandya’s well-set trap, further highlighting the flaws in team strategy.

Mohammad Rizwan’s Captaincy Under Fire

Mohammad Rizwan, leading Pakistan in the tournament, had a rough outing both as a batsman and as captain. His sluggish innings against India earned heavy criticism. Additionally, his claim that Pakistan’s spinners were as good as India’s was widely ridiculed.

Pace Attack’s Woeful Performance

Pakistan’s famed pace trio—Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah—failed to make an impact. Their poor bowling performances led former captain Mohammad Hafeez to suggest that PCB should drop them altogether.

Shoaib Akhtar’s Solution for Pakistan Cricket

Shoaib Akhtar, known for his no-nonsense approach, believes he has the solution to Pakistan’s cricketing problems. Speaking on PTV Sports, he said, “Give me the domestic structure for three years; I’ll get it fixed. I’ll sacrifice my time with my kids and give it to Pakistan’s youth.”

The Problems in Pakistan Cricket

Pakistan’s domestic cricket system has long been criticized for its lack of competitiveness and poor management. Talented players often go unnoticed, and the overall quality of cricket remains subpar. Unlike India and Australia, Pakistan lacks a structured system to groom young cricketers. There are limited opportunities for players to develop their skills at the grassroots level.

How Shoaib Akhtar Plans to Fix Pakistan Cricket

Shoaib proposes a complete overhaul of the domestic system. He wants to introduce competitive first-class cricket, ensuring that only the best talents make it to the national team. He has often criticized Pakistan players for their poor fitness levels. Shoaib believes that fitness and discipline should be non-negotiable criteria for selection. Pakistan has no shortage of raw talent, but the system fails to nurture it properly. Shoaib wants to set up academies where young players can be trained by experienced professionals.

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