PAK vs ENG: Pakistan players have forgotten 'essence of Test Cricket', says Legend Zaheer Abbas

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PAK vs ENG: Pakistan cricket legend Zaheer Abbas, famously known as the "Asian Bradman," has attributed the decline of Pakistan cricket to the overwhelming emphasis on T20 cricket and the influx of money that has shifted the focus of players away from the game.

Speaking at the 'Cricket Predicta Conclave', organised to celebrate the 100th episode of Asia's largest international daily cricket talk show, 'Cricket Predicta', Abbas reflected on the current state of Pakistan cricket with grave concern.

The Pakistan Test team suffered an embarrassing series loss to Bangladesh at home and their morale is at an all-time low with a strong England team visiting for a three-match Test series. Addressing the gathering, Abbas lamented, "There's too much T20 cricket being played in Pakistan, and because of that, our players have forgotten the essence of Test cricket. This is why we're not performing well in the longer format."

His comments highlight a growing debate in the cricketing world about the imbalance between different formats, with T20 cricket drawing widespread attention at the cost of the traditional Test format.

Abbas, who took Pakistan cricket to unprecedented heights during his playing days, expressed dismay over the modern players' preoccupation with financial gain. "So much money has come into cricket that the players today are only focused on making money, and their attention is diverted from the game itself," he remarked.

This shift, according to Abbas, is one of the key reasons Pakistan has struggled to maintain its once-dominant position in international cricket, particularly in Test matches. The former Pakistan captain did not mince words when speaking about the leadership within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). "It is the misfortune of Pakistan cricket that those who run it do not understand cricket," he said, expressing frustration with cricket administration in the country.

Zaheer Abbas earlier criticised Pak's white-ball captain Babar Azam for his poor showing in all formats and suggested he should be dropped from the squad for misfiring. Soon after, Babar Azam stepped down from the captaincy in a revelation made through late-night social media post.

"We took Pakistan cricket to great heights. The world admired our cricket. But today, those in charge are only concerned with their own interests, not with cricket or the players."

Abbas also touched upon the much-anticipated 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, set to take place in Pakistan. Advocating for a smooth cricketing exchange between India and Pakistan, Abbas said, "The Indian team should tour Pakistan, as it will promote cricket in the subcontinent, especially in Pakistan."

He stressed that India's presence in Pakistan would be a positive development, adding, "The Indian team is a great ambassador of cricket. If they come and play in Pakistan, it will take cricket forward in our country."

The strained relationship between India and Pakistan has impacted their cricketing ties, with bilateral series between the two sides on hold for several years. Abbas's appeal reflects a desire for renewed engagement between the neighbouring countries, which would help revive cricket in Pakistan.