Cricket has always held a very special place in Pakistan. For decades, it has not only been a sport but also a part of the national identity, a source of pride, and a unifying force for people of different regions, languages, and backgrounds. Young boys grow up dreaming of becoming the next Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, or Waqar Younis. Families gather in front of televisions to cheer for the national team. Stadiums are filled with energy and hope whenever Pakistan plays, whether at home or abroad. Yet, behind the glamour and passion lies a darker reality that has been eating away at the roots of the sport. Cricket in Pakistan has been politicised to a level where merit and fairness often take a back seat, and the game is used as a tool for personal gain, influence, and power. This has created damaging consequences for the sport itself and, more importantly, for the young players who are supposed to be the future of cricket in the country.
Politics has entered cricket in Pakistan in many forms. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is supposed to be an independent body ensuring that the game is managed fairly and professionally, has often been run as an extension of political authority. With every change of government, the head of the PCB also changes, not because of their competence or knowledge of cricket, but because of political loyalty. Leaders of the board are often appointed based on their closeness to the ruling party or individuals in power. This creates instability at the very top of cricket management, with constant changes in policies, strategies, and structures. It is almost impossible for the sport to grow in a consistent manner when those running it are more concerned with pleasing politicians than with building strong systems for the players.
This politicisation trickles down into the selection of players. Instead of being chosen on merit, many young cricketers face the bitter truth that personal connections, influence, and favouritism sometimes play a role in who gets selected for regional and national teams. When merit is sidelined, talent suffers. A young boy who has worked day and night, played outstanding cricket in domestic matches, and shown promise may still be ignored if he does not have the right connections or support from influential figures. Meanwhile, someone less deserving may be given a chance because of their backing. This not only destroys the morale of hardworking youngsters but also lowers the overall quality of the game. Pakistan has often been criticised for being inconsistent on the international stage, and much of this can be traced back to the lack of a fair, merit-based system at home.
Pakistan, a country of more than 240 million people, should never be short of talent, yet time and again the team struggles to build a pool of consistent players
For young players, the impact of this environment can be crushing. Imagine being 16 or 17 years old, dedicating every moment to cricket, and then realising that talent alone will not guarantee success. Many youngsters give up at this stage, feeling disheartened and hopeless. Instead of working harder and being inspired, they lose faith in the system. This creates a cycle where only a small group of lucky players, often with the right social and political links, make it to the top, while many bright stars fade away unnoticed. Pakistan, a country of more than 240 million people, should never be short of talent, yet time and again the team struggles to build a pool of consistent players. The truth is not that there is no talent, but that the system driven by politics does not allow it to flourish.
Today’s players, such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah, have reached the top through talent and determination, despite many challenges. Yet their careers have been held back by the constant politicisation of the game, which has prevented them from realising their full potential. Rather than being celebrated as role models for millions of young boys across the country, they are often made easy targets for critics, leaving young talent in a difficult position. It is the responsibility of senior players to guide and support these youngsters in improving their skills, instead of criticising them for underperforming in international matches, especially since they themselves have faced similar situations during their own careers.
Babar Azam is admired worldwide for his graceful batting, Rizwan for his resilience and spirit, and Shaheen Shah Afridi for his fiery fast bowling. Naseem Shah, despite his young age, has already won hearts with his pace and aggression, while Fakhar Zaman continues to inspire fans with his hard-hitting batting skills. Yet, for every one of these success stories, there are countless others who never made it because they lacked the backing needed to break through the barriers of politics and favouritism. Many equally talented cricketers remain unrecognised, which is a tragedy for Pakistan cricket.
Another negative effect of politicisation is the uncertainty and instability it creates for those who do manage to enter the system. Players often find themselves caught in power struggles between different groups within the cricket board and the political world. A change of government can mean a change of management at the PCB, which can in turn lead to changes in team selection, coaching staff, and even player contracts. A cricketer who is in favour today may suddenly find himself out of the team tomorrow, not because of his performance, but because of political shifts. This instability prevents players from focusing fully on their game. Instead, they spend energy worrying about matters beyond the field, which harms their growth and performance.
The politicisation of cricket also affects the coaching and training structures that are necessary for young players. With frequent changes in management, there is rarely a long-term plan for developing academies, improving facilities, or ensuring proper coaching at the grassroots level. When the management is more focused on pleasing political masters, less attention is given to what matters for the sport. As a result, young players often train in poor conditions, with inadequate support, and without the guidance they need to reach international standards. This leaves them unprepared when they do get a chance on the bigger stage, which affects both their careers and the reputation of Pakistan cricket.
Each wasted talent is not just a personal loss but also a loss for the nation, which misses out on future champions who could have brought glory and joy
Another sad consequence of this politicisation is the way it damages the spirit of the game. Cricket is supposed to be about fair play, hard work, and respect for merit. When young players see unfair practices around them, their values and beliefs can be shaken. Some may try to imitate the culture of influence and shortcuts rather than focusing on genuine effort. This mindset can spread like a disease, corrupting the soul of the game. For a country where cricket is more than just a sport, this is a deep cultural loss.
The role of the media and public opinion also becomes complicated when politics enters cricket. Media houses, often aligned with different political parties, may promote certain players or criticise others not on the basis of performance, but because of political loyalty. This confuses the public and creates unnecessary pressure on young cricketers. Instead of being judged by their runs, wickets, or fielding, they are sometimes dragged into political debates that have nothing to do with the game. This takes away the joy of cricket and adds stress to the lives of players who should only be thinking about improving their performance.
Moreover, politicisation has an impact on Pakistan’s image abroad. International cricket bodies and foreign teams keep a close eye on how the game is run in each country. When they see too much political interference, frequent changes in management, and instability, their confidence in Pakistan cricket decreases. This can affect international tours, partnerships, and opportunities for young Pakistani players to play abroad. At a time when cricket should be a way for Pakistan to build its soft image globally, politicisation weakens the country’s position and isolates its players from valuable experiences.
One cannot ignore the financial side of the matter either. Sponsorship deals, broadcasting rights, and other commercial opportunities are often influenced by politics. Sometimes contracts are given not on the basis of what benefits the sport, but on who has connections. This limits the resources available for young players’ development and creates further inequality. When money is misused or wasted due to political influence, the players at the bottom of the ladder are the ones who suffer the most.
The tragedy of all this is the loss of potential. Pakistan has always been blessed with extraordinary cricketing talent. From street cricket in Karachi to dusty grounds in interior Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, children display skills that could make them international stars. Yet, many of these young hopefuls never get a chance to shine because the doors of opportunity are blocked by politics. Each wasted talent is not just a personal loss but also a loss for the nation, which misses out on future champions who could have brought glory and joy.
The way forward is not easy, but it is clear. Cricket in Pakistan needs to be freed from the grip of politics. The management of the sport must be professional, independent, and focused only on the betterment of cricket. Selection should be based strictly on merit, with transparent processes that give every talented youngster a fair chance. Long-term plans must be put in place for grassroots development, coaching, and facilities, regardless of which political party is in power. Only then will young players be able to focus on their game, believe in the system, and perform at their best.
Cricket should be about joy, unity, and excellence. It should inspire the young and bring pride to the nation. When politics overshadows it, the essence of the sport is lost. For the sake of the next generation of cricketers, and for the millions of fans who live and breathe the game, it is important to restore merit, fairness, and professionalism to cricket in Pakistan. Only then can the country realise its immense potential in sport and ensure that young players are encouraged, supported, and celebrated for their hard work and talent, and not for their political connections.
We have already seen the decline of hockey and squash, once the pride of our nation, through neglect and lack of proper support. Now, cricket too risks going down the same path if those in authority do not stop interfering. It is time that the game was handled with professionalism, honesty, and foresight, so that Pakistan’s most cherished sport can continue to inspire generations to come.