In this exclusive interview, former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Atiq-uz-Zaman offers a candid look at the pressing issues within the Pakistan Cricket Board. The current head coach of Germany reflects on his own experiences with the PCB, analyzes the recent resignation of Azhar Ali, assesses the team's performance against weaker opposition, and shares his thoughts on the expansion of the Pakistan Super League — and much more.
Key revelations include:
On Azhar Ali's exit: "The good people, honest people cannot last longer in that cricket board" - A damning indictment of the PCB environment; A key reason is the PCB's decision to hire former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed in a conflicting role, potentially over Azhar Ali.
On poor management: "The communication is so poor... you don't know what's going on" - Zaman criticizes the PCB's poor communication, noting that the board often brings in new people without communicating or justifying changes to existing staff, which leads to resignations. He recalled his own experience sitting at the NHPC for a month doing nothing after a change in leadership because no one communicated his new role.
On PCB's priorities: "People are in leadership positions just to get their ego satisfied" - He suggested the board's leadership is often motivated by ego and securing income, rather than honest service to the country. He argues that the PCB constantly loses honest, hardworking individuals who are making a difference because the board does not value or respect them.
On recent results: "These teams are like the level of top associate teams" - He notes that the team struggled even against a South African "C team" and lost the Test match in home conditions. Pakistan needs to achieve similar records against top-tier nations like Australia or England to prove genuine improvement.
On batting order chaos: "Fakhar Zaman should never bat on this number" - He criticized the team's batting order, arguing that it is being ruined to accommodate certain players. He specifically mentioned Fakhar Zaman being made to bat too low and emphasized that the top five batsmen should be solid, established players who are given confidence and a fixed role for a long duration
On PSL expansion: "More teams are better... More coaches are going to get developed" - He believes the expansion is a "very good decision" that will create more opportunities for players and coaches to develop and get paid.
Watch full interview with Saj here:
