Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has strongly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board and its chairman Mohsin Naqvi. He believes the growing “star culture” in Pakistan cricket is one of the main reasons for the team’s recent struggles.
According to Shehzad, the board has promoted a small group of players for years without demanding accountability, which has affected the overall performance of the national team.
Ahmed Shehzad Questions PCB Leadership
In a recent YouTube discussion, Ahmed Shehzad accused the Pakistan Cricket Board of becoming weak in its decision-making.
He claimed that the board has allowed certain star players to gain too much influence. According to him, these players receive major support, sponsorship deals and public attention but are not delivering consistent results for the country.
Shehzad said that the PCB helped build strong personal brands for a small group of players during the Pakistan Super League several years ago. He believes these players have remained the face of both the PSL and the national team without improving Pakistan’s results.
What Shehzad Means by ‘Star Culture’
Shehzad explained that star culture develops when a few players gain excessive influence in the team structure.
He believes this has created a situation where certain players dominate the system while younger or new players struggle to get opportunities.
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Issues Raised by Ahmed Shehzad
| Issue | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Star culture in team | A small group of players dominating the system |
| Lack of accountability | Players not questioned for poor results |
| PCB leadership | Board unable to control powerful players |
| Limited opportunities | Young players struggle to enter the team |
According to Shehzad, this environment prevents healthy competition and slows down the team’s progress.
Timing of the Criticism
Shehzad’s comments came after Pakistan’s recent disappointing performances in international cricket.
The team recently lost a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh by 2–1 while playing away from home. Pakistan had also faced a difficult campaign during the T20 World Cup 2026 earlier in the year.
These results have increased criticism from former players and fans regarding team management and player accountability.
Pakistan’s Recent ODI Series Against Bangladesh
Pakistan showed mixed performances during the series.
Young players were given opportunities after some senior players were left out of the squad.
Key Moments from the Bangladesh ODI Series
| Match | Key Event |
|---|---|
| First ODI | Pakistan bowled out for 114 runs |
| Second ODI | Maaz Sadaqat scored 76 runs and took 3 wickets |
| Second ODI | Salman Ali Agha scored a century |
| Third ODI | Pakistan failed to chase 291 and lost by 11 runs |
Despite strong performances from some younger players, Pakistan eventually lost the series 2–1.
Leadership Under Shaheen Afridi
Shaheen Afridi was appointed Pakistan’s ODI captain last year. The selectors made bold changes under his leadership by dropping key players such as Babar Azam and Saim Ayub for the Bangladesh series.
New players like Maaz Sadaqat and Abdul Samad were given opportunities as the team tried to rebuild.
Sadaqat impressed in the second ODI with an all-round performance, scoring 76 runs and taking three wickets.
The debate around Pakistan cricket now focuses on leadership, accountability and team rebuilding.
Critics believe the board must reduce player influence and create a system where performance is the main factor in selection.
At the same time, young players are beginning to get more opportunities, which could help Pakistan build a stronger squad for future tournaments.
The coming months will show whether the PCB makes changes in response to these criticisms and how the national team moves forward.
