PCB musical chairs, dismal performance at ODI World Cup and resignation of Babar Azam dominate Pakistan cricket in 2023

By Muhammad Ali

LAHORE: The game of musical chairs to become chairman in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), national squad’s dismal performance at the ODI World Cup in India and reluctant resignation of skipper Babar Azam dominated Pakistan cricket in the year 2023. The unprecedented mess off-field led the headlines when Najam Aziz Sethi was forced to leave the PCB by Pakistan Peoples’ Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari who wanted his “buddy” businessman Muhammad Zaka Ashraf to take over the reins at the PCB. Zaka become chairman of the PCB in July after Najam decided to “pull out” of the race for the coveted chairmanship. Sethi, who was appointed as the head of the PCB management committee in June, stated he no longer was in the race to become the PCB chairman. The 75-year-old, while sharing an update in a tweet, said that he doesn’t want to be a “bone of contention” between then Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Zardari. Sethi’s tweet was in reference to the political horse-trading over the PCB chairman’s post which was going on for two months: May and June. Shahbaz along with his elder brother Nawaz Sharif, head of Muslim League (N), was supporting Sethi while Zaka was being supported by the Pakistan Peoples’ Party, a prominent coalition partner in the then government. The stand taken by Zardari in favour of Zaka forced Shahbaz to withdraw his support for Sethi.

Sethi and Zaka have had history tussling for the PCB leadership: the two of them were involved in a protracted legal battle for the position in 2013 and 2014. That issue was settled when then Prime Minister Nawaz ousted Zaka and brought in Sethi. The fact is that the PCB has seen three chiefs — Ramiz Raja, Sethi, and Zaka — during the past couple of years. The country’s richest sports body lacks continuous and proper management as the Prime Minister holds the reins of the cricketing administration. For the last many years, drastic transformations in the domestic structure by various PCB regimes have kept Pakistan cricket topsy-turvy. Pakistan cricket isn’t short of talent, but it continues to fail in successful player development, fair selection, and optimal match strategy. These are the result of constant changes in governance, administration, and team management. And that precisely affected the national team at the ODI World Cup. The outcome of the Asia Cup, which preceded the World Cup, was even more difficult to digest because Pakistan had finished last in the Super Fours and their bowlers were already suffering from injuries that continued to hamper them. A Test series win against Sri Lanka away was the highlight of the year, but a Test series loss against Australia in December gave a sobering reminder that a lot of effort was needed to be more professional and skillful not only on fast tracks but also against strong rivals.

New Zealand draw Test series 1-1 and win ODI series 2-1 in Pakistan:

The year started with New Zealand touring Pakistan for two-Test and three ODI series in December and January. The Tests were played in Karachi and both were drawn. While the ODI series was won by the tourists 2-1. Victory in the first match had raised hopes — Pakistan could have gone to the top of ODI rankings with a series sweep, but the results that followed raised questions about the side that continued to struggle in ODIs and Tests.

Lahore Qalandars win PSL-8 to become first team to successfully defend title:

The eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League was held in February and March. After being laughed at and lampooned for so long, Lahore Qalandars became the only side in PSL’s history to successfully defend their title. The charismatic captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, the newfound all-rounder, led Lahore in PSL-8 final and showcased his newfound talent with the bat to completely take the game away from Multan Sultans. At one stage it was looking like Lahore would hardly score 170 but the brutal assault by skipper Shaheen propelled them to 200. In reply, the tournament came down to one delivery and Multan lost by one run.

Pakistan win ODI series 4-1 against New Zealand:

New Zealand toured Pakistan in April and May to play five ODIs and five T20Is. The tour was to make up for the series that was postponed in September 2021. The ODI series was not part of the Super League. However, it formed part of both teams’ preparations for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 88 runs in the first T20I, and went on to win the second by 38 runs to lead the series 2–0. New Zealand won the third by a margin of four runs to keep themselves alive in the series. The fourth ended in a no result due to a hailstorm, New Zealand won the last game by six wickets to level the series 2–2. Pakistan clinched the ODI series 4-1: won the first by 5 wickets, won the second by 7 wickets, won the third by 26 runs, won the fourth by 102 runs while the fifth contest was won by New Zealand by 47 runs.

Pakistan win Test series in Sri Lanka:

Pakistan toured Sri Lanka in July to play two Test matches. The series formed part of the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship. Pakistan made it a difficult chase at times but they completed a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Test. Sri Lanka won the toss and batted, scoring 312, and Pakistan replied with 461 in their first innings. The home side scored 279 runs in their second at-bat, leaving Pakistan 131 runs to win. Pakistan didn’t get off to a good start and limped to 48 for three at stumps on day four. When play resumed on the final day, Pakistan needed 83 runs. Babar Azam added 41 runs for the fourth wicket with Imamul Haq and the run chase looked a mere formality. Agha Salman walked in at the fall of the sixth wicket with Pakistan needing four runs and he completed the victory. In the second Test, Noman Ali took seven wickets to lead Pakistan’s rout of Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs to clinch victory inside four days and sweep the series 2-0. The left-arm spinner Noman took the first seven and fast bowler Naseem Shah took the final three to bowl out Sri Lanka for 188 in the evening session in Colombo. Noman returned career-best figures of 7-70 in his 15th Test as Sri Lanka suffered their heaviest Test defeat at home.

Former Test cricketers Naushad Ali and Ijaz Butt pass away:

In August, former Test cricketers Naushad Ali and Ijaz Butt breathed their last. Naushad was 79 while Ijaz was 85. Naushad, wicketkeeper-batsman, had played six Test matches – all against New Zealand in 1965. After retirement from professional cricket, Naushad served as the manager of the Pakistan men’s team. He had also served as a match referee. Former wicket-keeper-batsman Ijaz played eight Test matches for Pakistan. He served as the PCB chief from 2008 to 2011, and during his tenure the cricket team won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2009.

Dutch court sentences former cricketer Khalid for 12 years over video post:

In September, a Dutch court sentenced former Pakistan cricketer Khalid Latif to 12 years for urging people to murder Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders. The court ruled that statements by Khalid should be regarded as incitement to murder, sedition and threat. Khalid previously had received a five-year ban from cricket in 2017 over a sports-fixing scandal during a Pakistan Super League match in Dubai. The Dutch court proved that Khalid posted a video in 2018 in which he offered a PKR three million (21,000 euros at the time) reward for the murder of Wilders. The video came at a time of mass demonstrations against Wilders in Pakistan after he had announced a cartoon contest depicting caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). The competition was later cancelled.

Pakistan fail to sparkle in Asia Cup:

The sixteenth edition of the Asia Cup was held between August 31 and September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. India thrashed Sri Lanka in a one-sided final to win the Asia Cup for the 8th time. India last won the tournament in 2018. Pakistan failed to qualify for the final after going down against Sri Lanka by five wickets. The tournament was originally meant to be held entirely in Pakistan but a hybrid model became necessary after India refused to travel to Pakistan. In the hybrid model approved by the Asian Cricket Council, four of the 13 matches were played in Pakistan and the remaining nine in Sri Lanka. The 2023 edition had India, Pakistan and Nepal in one group, and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in another group. The PCB, as appointed hosts, were keen to ensure that at least part of the tournament was played in Pakistan. The UAE was in the running as a neutral venue but Bangladesh raised concerns over the extreme weather there in September.

Pakistan women cricketers’ dismal performance at Hangzhou Asian Games:

Former champions Pakistan women’s team participated in the Hangzhou Asian Games in September in China. Their pursuit for a third Asian Games gold ended with a six-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in the semi-final at the Zhejiang University of Technology Ground. Sri Lanka’s victory set them up for a clash against India in the final, the latter thrashing Bangladesh by 51 runs in the other semi-final. India won the Asian Games gold. This marked the inaugural gold medal victory for the Indian women’s cricket team while runners-up Sri Lanka secured silver medal. Pakistan were defeated by Bangladesh in the bronze medal clash.

Inzamam steps down as Pakistan chief selector after conflict of interest allegations:

In October, former captain Inzamamul Haq stepped down as PCB’s chief selector after allegations of a conflict of interest. His resignation came after Pakistan media reported one of his co-directors in a UK-based company, Yazoo International Ltd, was managing director of Saya Corporation, an agency representing some major Pakistan cricketers. The players included Babar, Shaheen and Mohammad Rizwan, who is also a director at Yazoo, according to UK public sector database gov.uk. “I am stepping down from the post to offer the PCB the opportunity to conduct a transparent inquiry,” Inzamam said in a statement released by the board. “If the committee finds me not guilty, I will resume my role as the chief selector.” The PCB said it had set up a five-member fact-finding committee to look into the allegations.

ODI World Cup debacle:

Another World Cup and yet another disaster for Pakistan. The Babar-led team’s top ODI ranking ahead of the global show­piece proved a mere insignia. On the ground, they were outclassed, outsmarted and outpaced. Pakistan could not reach the semifinals of the ODI World Cup played in India in October and November. Pakistan, who are fifth in the World Cup standings with eight points in as many matches, needed to win their last fixture against England by a hefty margin of 287 runs or 260 balls to spare to go past New Zealand’s superior net run-rate. Pakistan, while chasing a daunting 338-run target, could get to 30-2 in 6.4 overs, resulting in them bowing out of the semi-final race. Consequently, New Zealand successfully managed to hold on to their fourth position in the standings with 10 points in nine matches and a healthy net run rate of 0.743. Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC World Cup 2023 was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. The Babar-led side started their World Cup campaign with two victories. They outclassed the Netherlands by 81 runs in their campaign opener before they pulled off the highest run chase in the history of the ODI World Cup to down Sri Lanka by six wickets. However, it was a sudden change of fortune for the Men in Green as they succumbed to a four-match losing streak, their first in the history of the World Cup. Their four-match losing streak saw them sink to their first-ever loss against Afghanistan in ODIs before losing to South Africa for the first time in a World Cup match in this century. When it appeared to be done and dusted for the Green Shirts, Babar’s men scripted an astonishing comeback to the ICC World Cup 2023 semi-final race by thrashing Bangladesh by seven wickets and 105 balls to spare. Pakistan then pulled off another heist when they downed New Zealand by 21 runs as per the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method despite the latter scoring a mammoth 401-6 in the allotted 50 overs.

Bowling coach Morkel resigns after World Cup exit:

In November, Pakistan announced that a key member of their coaching staff had stepped down following the team’s group-stage exit at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Bowling coach Morne Morkel left the set-up. The former South Africa fast bowler had joined the Pakistan team on a six-month contract in June 2023. Morkel’s first role with Pakistan was to help the team to a 2-0 Test series win away in Sri Lanka. And the South African was then part of the coaching team that saw Pakistan reach the final four of the Asia Cup and rise to number one in the ODI Rankings.

Babar steps down in all formats, Shan new Test skipper, Shaheen becomes T20I captain:

After the World Cup debacle, instead of introspection, the PCB, as usual, pinned the responsibility for what can only be called an utter failure to behave professionally with their captain, while trying to sweep its own obvious failures under the rug. In November, Babar resigned as Pakistan captain after his team failed to advance from the group stage at the Cricket World Cup. “Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats,” the batter said in a statement. It’s a difficult decision but I feel it is a right time for this call. I will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats.” The PCB named Shan Masood as the new Test captain and said the left-handed opener would stay as skipper through the World Test Championship cycle of 2023-25. During Babar’s tenure as captain, Pakistan rose to No. 1 in the ODI rankings, but there was a sharp decline in the team’s performance before the World Cup in India. Pakistan’s below-par performance in the World Cup led many former Test cricketers to criticize Babar’s captaincy. Left-arm pacer Shaheen was named to lead Pakistan in the T20I format.

Wahab Riaz is Pakistan’s new chief selector:

The PCB in November named Wahab Riaz, the former fast bowler, as new chief selector of the senior men’s team. Wahab, who retired from international cricket in August 2023, joined new post ahead of the three-match Test series in Australia which was played in December-January Down Under. “The PCB’s decision to involve former players in cricketing matters is commendable and I am willing to work for the betterment of Pakistan cricket,” Wahab said in a board statement. “Heading a selection committee is a challenging task,” he added.

Amid uproar, PCB takes U-turn on Salman Butt:

In the first week of December, a day after being appointed consultant to chief selector Wahab by the Pakistan Cricket Board, former captain Salman Butt was removed from the post. The southpaw, who represented Pakistan in both red-ball and white-ball formats, was banned after pleading guilty to a spot-fixing incident during a Test against England at Lords in 2010. Salman’s appointment as consultant to the selection panel was met with strong resistance from within the PCB and also from the outside. In the face of mounting internal pressure and external criticism over the appointment of a former cricketer, Wahab convened an urgent press conference and confirmed Salman’s withdrawal from the selection panel. Earlier, the PCB had named former players Kamran Akmal, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Salman as consultants to the chief selector.

Pakistan women’s historic T20I series win in New Zealand:

In December, Pakistan women’s cricket team won a three-match T20I series against New Zealand 2-1 in New Zealand. Pakistan won the first two matches against the Kiwis by seven wickets and 10 runs, respectively, becoming the first Asian team to win a T20I series in New Zealand. The Nida Dar-led side lost the third match by just six runs via the DLS method. Skipper Nida Dar, who was playing her 141st T20 match, became the first player to feature in most T20 matches in Pakistan. Earlier, this record was held by Bismah Maroof who played 140 T20 Internationals.

Test series loss Down Under:

At the fag end of the year, Pakistan lost a three-match Test series against Australia in Australia. Skipper Shan Masood and his charges lost the first Test in Perth by a huge margin of 360 runs and the second by 27 runs at Melbourne. The third was due to be held in Sydney from January 3, 2024.