Pakistan was once a global sporting powerhouse. From lifting the Cricket World Cup in 1992 to dominating the world of hockey and squash for decades, we were known for producing champions. Stadiums echoed with cheers, children idolised athletes, and sports served as a unifying force in a politically fragmented country.

But somewhere along the way, we lost the plot.

Fast-forward to 2025, and we’re now watching our national teams crumble—hockey is on life support, cricket is heading there fast, and our Olympic presence is symbolic at best. The once-proud green shirts are now weighed down by politics, chaos, and fear—mirroring the nation itself.

Cricket: From crown jewel to crumbling empire

Let’s start with cricket—the soul of Pakistani sports. Once a beacon of hope with legends like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Saeed Anwar inspiring generations, today’s cricket landscape feels like a distant memory of past glory.

Pakistan’s exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, the shocking home series defeat to Bangladesh, and exclusion from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are not isolated failures—they’re symptoms of a long, painful illness.

Once a powerhouse of world sports, Pakistan now plays like a nation burdened by chaos—its teams shackled by the same fear and uncertainty that plague its politics. The Pakistan Cricket Board cycled through 26 selectors, 8 coaches, and 4 captains in three years. That’s not a system—it’s chaos

It’s a tragedy of mismanagement, political interference, and zero accountability. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has turned into a revolving door—26 selectors, 8 coaches, and 4 captains in three years. That’s not a system—it’s chaos.

Just recently, the Auditor General of Pakistan revealed over Rs. 6 billion in financial irregularities within the PCB. Fake lease agreements, illegal allowances, unauthorised appointments, and uncollected sponsorship money—this isn't mismanagement, it's criminal negligence. And yet—no one has been held accountable.

T20’s glittering curse and the fall of merit

T20 cricket has brought entertainment, yes. But it has also brought a dangerous shift. Skill has taken a back seat to showmanship. Players now chase leagues like IPL and CPL for personal gain, while national pride gets left behind.

Stars like Haris Rauf skipping Test matches for “body stress”? That’s the new norm. Cricket is now business—not battle. Discipline and resilience have been replaced by branding deals and fanbase protection.

A domestic system designed to fail

Pakistan’s domestic cricket is a mess. A confusing structure of departments, regions, and scouts—without transparency or meritocracy.

Young talent from top institutions like LUMS, FAST, GIKI, and LSE goes unrecognised. Why? Because the scouts don’t go there. Players from small towns or poor backgrounds don’t stand a chance unless they have “connections.” Fitness benchmarks are a joke. Some players are still being pampered on mattress practices and feasting on biryani during training.

Match fixing: The ghost that still haunts

The shadow of match-fixing still looms. The 2010 scandal shattered trust, and since then, whispers of corruption have only grown louder. PCB’s latest audit report reads like a crime novel—with plot twists involving fake rentals, inflated travel contracts, and media directors appointed overnight on jaw-dropping salaries.

The culture of impunity continues to rot the sport from the inside out.

Hockey: The forgotten legacy

While cricket’s decline is painful, hockey’s fall is tragic.

Once the pride of the nation—with three Olympic golds and four Hockey World Cups—Pakistan hockey is now an international afterthought. No appearances in recent Olympics. No local leagues. No grassroots infrastructure.

Instead of building new astro-turf fields or academies, officials wasted decades fighting turf wars in boardrooms. The Pakistan Hockey Federation is a nest of political appointments and administrative incompetence.

Hockey’s decline wasn’t accidental—it was structural. Officials fought turf wars while the actual turf rotted. From Jahangir Khan’s 555-match winning streak to squash players now playing without courts, funding, or direction—we turned pride into nostalgia.

The team is now ranked 16th in the world—a shocking number for a sport we once owned.

Squash: The dynasty that faded

Then there’s squash. From the era of Jahangir and Jansher Khan—who ruled the world for two decades—to today, where Pakistan barely registers in world rankings.

Jahangir’s 555-match winning streak wasn’t a fluke. It was the result of hard work, discipline, and a support system that has since collapsed. There are no serious junior development programs. No modern courts. And the politics within the squash federation have paralysed progress for years.

We rested too long on our laurels—while Egypt and England ran ahead.

Psychology of a nation: When teams reflect national fear

Pakistan’s sports teams don’t just lose—they play scared. Fear of failure has become a default mindset. When political chaos, economic hardship, and constant leadership changes define a country, it’s no surprise that its teams carry the same burden.

A player who doesn’t know if his captain or coach will survive the week can’t focus on winning. He’s too busy surviving.

Former star players agree: Pakistan has the skills—but not the support. And confidence without structure is a sandcastle against the tide.

Revival is possible—if we act now

It’s not too late. But we need bold, sweeping changes.

Build Infrastructure in Small Cities

• Develop sports complexes in rural and underserved areas.
• Ensure every school and college has at least one functional sports ground.

Integrate Sports into Education

• Bring back inter-school and inter-college competitions.
• Offer scholarships and sports quotas for athletes from poor families.

Reform Talent Scouting

• Appoint qualified scouts—not cronies—to identify talent.
• Ensure selections are made on merit, not sifarish.

Enforce Fitness and Discipline

• Mandatory fitness benchmarks for national players.
• No more family vacation tours during official series.
• Regular camps for mental and physical conditioning.

Crack Down on Corruption

• Set up an independent sports commission.
• Lifetime bans for fixers and corrupt officials.
• Transparent audits of all sports federations.

Go Beyond Cricket

• Invest in Olympic sports: athletics, wrestling, and swimming.
• Build regional youth academies for hockey, squash, and football.
• Appoint legends like Jahangir Khan, Shahbaz Senior, and others as mentors.

In a country torn apart by politics, inflation, and division—sports can be the great unifier. Nothing brings us together like a Pakistan victory. Nothing inspires our children more than watching someone in green raise the national flag on a global stage.

The gold medal by Arshad Nadeem at the 2024 Olympics is proof. One man brought a nation to its feet. But one man is not enough. We need a system, a structure, a revival.

Let’s stop gambling with our future. Let’s stop killing dreams with corruption. Let’s bring back the glory—and play like champions again.