Crash and burn: Pakistan cricket at a new low after England humiliation

Pakistan cricket was left in a state of disarray after a disastrous 3-0 Test whitewash by England, with the team's performance hitting a new low. Debutant Razaullah's impressive display provided a glimmer of hope, but the tour was marred by mid-series sackings of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling chief Umar Gul. Seven players were expelled from the squad, and white-ball coach Mike Hesson was brought in for the final Test, but his efforts did not reverse the team's fortunes.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram had predicted the decline, stating that the situation had been grim for the last five years and could not be attributed to a single cause. His fellow legend, Shahid Afridi, described the current state as "bleak", emphasizing the lack of a strong system and respect for players. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has undergone a series of changes in recent years, resulting in a lack of consistent planning that has hurt the game's development.

The team's struggles were reflected in their poor performance, with 16 defeats in their last 21 Tests, leaving them ninth and last on the World Test Championship table. White-ball cricket results were equally disappointing, with Pakistan losing their first round match in the ODI Champions Trophy and failing to advance past the group stage in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Former leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed blamed the decline on a lack of planning and a flawed domestic system, stating that it would take time to fix the issues. Fans are becoming increasingly disillusioned, with some, like banker Mohammad Afzal, expressing concern about the future of cricket in Pakistan and the need for strong measures to revive the sport's glory.