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- Nov 25, 2023
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In an exclusive interview, Mudassar Nazar—one of Pakistan cricket’s all-time greats, former head coach at the National Cricket Academy, and a globally respected coaching figure—delivers a hard‑hitting assessment of where Pakistan cricket has gone wrong. From PSL’s failure to produce international talent to the crumbling state of domestic infrastructure, he pulls no punches. He also reflects on why foreign coaches struggle, the system that left Bangladesh “far ahead” of Pakistan, and the urgent need to rebuild from the grassroots.
Key revelations include:
* PSL development gap: “Not many people have graduated from PSL into Pakistan cricket.” Nazar highlights that while the league is a commercial success, it primarily produces short-format specialists rather than well-rounded players for the national side.
* Foreign coaches’ blind spot: “They never see Pakistan. They see Emirates Airlines, Dubai, and back home.” He argues that high-profile overseas consultants often remain disconnected from the local culture and the actual grind of the provincial circuit.
* First‑class crisis: “In domestic cricket, the lunch is served from the toilet.” This graphic indictment exposes the appalling lack of basic hygiene and professional infrastructure provided to players outside the international spotlight.
* Bangladesh comparison: “Bangladesh was far, far ahead of Pakistan… far more advanced.” Nazar points out that while Pakistan rested on its laurels, Bangladesh invested heavily in a structured grassroots system that is now yielding more consistent results.
* Mismanagement of young players: “Either we play them too early, or we don’t give them a real run.” He criticizes the inconsistent selection policy that oscillates between rushing teenagers into the deep end and discarding them after a single failure.
* The real problem: “Look at the real Pakistan cricket, not just the Pakistan team.” The focus, he insists, must move away from the vanity of the national XI and toward fixing the decaying club and school cricket systems.
* Coaching pressure: “If you happen to be a Pakistani coach working with Pakistan Cricket Board, you have absolutely no chance.” He describes a toxic environment where local coaches are treated as scapegoats by a reactionary media and a revolving-door administration.
* Talent pipeline failure: “No new players are coming through.” Nazar warns that the "stock" of world-class talent is finally running dry because the developmental machinery has effectively ground to a halt.
Watch the latest interview with Saj below:
Key revelations include:
* PSL development gap: “Not many people have graduated from PSL into Pakistan cricket.” Nazar highlights that while the league is a commercial success, it primarily produces short-format specialists rather than well-rounded players for the national side.
* Foreign coaches’ blind spot: “They never see Pakistan. They see Emirates Airlines, Dubai, and back home.” He argues that high-profile overseas consultants often remain disconnected from the local culture and the actual grind of the provincial circuit.
* First‑class crisis: “In domestic cricket, the lunch is served from the toilet.” This graphic indictment exposes the appalling lack of basic hygiene and professional infrastructure provided to players outside the international spotlight.
* Bangladesh comparison: “Bangladesh was far, far ahead of Pakistan… far more advanced.” Nazar points out that while Pakistan rested on its laurels, Bangladesh invested heavily in a structured grassroots system that is now yielding more consistent results.
* Mismanagement of young players: “Either we play them too early, or we don’t give them a real run.” He criticizes the inconsistent selection policy that oscillates between rushing teenagers into the deep end and discarding them after a single failure.
* The real problem: “Look at the real Pakistan cricket, not just the Pakistan team.” The focus, he insists, must move away from the vanity of the national XI and toward fixing the decaying club and school cricket systems.
* Coaching pressure: “If you happen to be a Pakistani coach working with Pakistan Cricket Board, you have absolutely no chance.” He describes a toxic environment where local coaches are treated as scapegoats by a reactionary media and a revolving-door administration.
* Talent pipeline failure: “No new players are coming through.” Nazar warns that the "stock" of world-class talent is finally running dry because the developmental machinery has effectively ground to a halt.
Watch the latest interview with Saj below:
