The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is under fire once again for its management of the senior men's national cricket team. Former captain Rashid Latif has publicly criticized the board, suggesting that it is effectively operating the team through "remote control." His comments come in the wake of a significant mid-series overhaul that saw seven players and two coaches sent back to Pakistan after the team suffered defeats in the first two Tests against England.
This unprecedented decision has raised eyebrows among former players and cricket analysts, who question the timing and rationale behind such sweeping changes. The PCB's move has only added to the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan's Test setup, which has faced mounting pressure following its poor performance in the series against England.
Latif's critique highlights the PCB's decision to remove key figures including senior players Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, as well as Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed. In a surprising twist, white-ball coach Mike Hesson has been appointed to lead the team for the third and final Test in Birmingham. Latif has pointed out the inconsistency in the PCB's approach, questioning why Sarfaraz and bowling coach Umar Gul were sent to England if the board intended to maintain such tight control over the team dynamics.
On social media platform X, Latif raised further questions about the PCB's decision-making process, referencing the departures of renowned coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, who previously resigned due to disagreements over their level of authority. He also brought captain Babar Azam into the conversation, implying that if the PCB felt Azam was not adhering to the team's strategic direction, they should have considered replacing him instead of sending coaches home. "If the team had to be run by remote control, then why were Sarfaraz and Umar Gul sent? If Babar Azam wasn’t listening, the captain should have been sacked," Latif stated.
The PCB's drastic measures have not gone unnoticed, with several high-profile figures in Pakistan cricket, including Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, and Shahid Afridi, expressing their concerns. Critics argue that such significant changes in the middle of a Test series could exacerbate the instability within an already struggling team. Despite the backlash, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has defended the board's actions, asserting that the decisions were made with the team's best interests in mind.
Pakistan's ongoing struggles in Test cricket are well-documented. Currently sitting at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, the team has failed to establish itself as a serious contender for the WTC final in the current cycle. This latest campaign marks the fourth consecutive WTC cycle in which Pakistan has finished in the lower half of the standings, underscoring the depth of their issues in the longest format of the game.
The recent defeats in England have intensified scrutiny surrounding the direction of the team and the PCB's decision-making processes. Earlier in 2026, the PCB had already made a captaincy change, replacing Shan Masood with Babar Azam after a disappointing series against Bangladesh. While Azam's leadership initially brought some stability, the team's fortunes have since deteriorated, culminating in the recent overhaul following the losses to England.
As the controversy surrounding the PCB's handling of the national team continues to unfold, Latif's comments add another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about the future of Pakistan cricket.
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