T20 World Cup 2024: What 'Major Surgery' does Pakistan need to get out of Misery?

After Pakistan's shocking defeat at the hands of India on Sunday, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has called for 'major surgery' to revive their cricket.

Naqvi spoke in a press conference in New York and spoke about making changes to the national team which may help to turn the tables. Pakistan is on the brink of elimination from the T20 World Cup 2024.

"It seemed that a minor surgery would suffice for the Pakistan cricket team, but after the extremely poor performance, it has become clear that the team needs major surgery," the PCB chairman said.

He was disappointed with the two defeats that Pakistan endured, first against co-hosts USA and then India. Naqvi also mentioned the cricket in Pakistan is at all-time low and called for a holistic change soon.

But what are the major changes Pakistan need to sustain a cricketing environment which will provide some security to players? Although the Pakistan players are at massive fault for their display in the ongoing ICC event, the board and the political scenario in the country are equally responsible for their downfall.

Hence perhaps the 'Major Surgery' they need is at the very top. MyKhel tried to find some operational changes which may benefit Pakistan cricket-

Administration Stability

The dynamics of Pakistan cricket and its cricket board are as fragile as the government in Pakistan. With each change in the governance, the Pakistan Cricket Board changes, and it brings a whole lot of changes at the personnel level. If they want to sustain the cricketing environment and promote a much more settled atmosphere, steady management at the top is very important. We have seen in the past few years the doldrums of PCB, which has in turn affected Pakistan cricket. Hence, the major surgery will have to come from the administration level to bring the goods to the grassroots.

A Settled Team

Pakistan went through a plethora of changes just before the T20 World Cup. The reappointment of Babar Azam as captain was a shocker, given Shaheen Afridi only captained them for a solitary series. This decision was undoubtedly a disaster and PCB is to blame for it.

In the last six months, Pakistan cricket has had several setbacks and internal conflict and lack of stability within the team have played a huge part in that.

They can't chop and change a team every two weeks. Hence they will have to identify and trust the set of players and provide them the best environment to thrive. The reports of internal issues in the Pakistan team have come to public in recent times and the onus will be on PCB to curb these unwanted narratives.

Pakistan need Holistic Change

A multifaceted change is warranted if Pakistan is to rise again. The system, infrastructure, management - all need a major revamp.

The level of first-class cricket in Pakistan needs a major upgradation. They need better infrastructure and better fitness programmes which can mould players and make them ready for the international level. There are too many unfit players in this Pakistan T20 squad who haven't helped the team's cause at all.

Reports in Pakistan have suggested the regional conflict in PCB and they need to end that. Pakistani players across the country must be handed the opportunities. Along with that, the decisions to bring back players from retirement need to stop. They must focus on providing opportunities to youngsters to evolve.