Lahore, August 15, 2026: Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has attributed the national team’s prolonged struggles in Test cricket to the decline of departmental cricket, describing it as a crucial “nursery” for Pakistan’s international players.
Pakistan have endured a disappointing run in Test cricket since their 2-0 away series victory over Sri Lanka in July 2023. During that period, the Green Shirts have won only one Test series, beating England at home in October 2024.
They subsequently suffered away series defeats against Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh, with Bangladesh also recording a 2-0 victory in Pakistan earlier this year. Pakistan hosted the West Indies and South Africa but could manage only 1-1 draws in both series.
The poor run eventually contributed to a change in leadership, with Babar Azam replacing Shan Masood as Test captain ahead of Pakistan’s two-match away series against the West Indies.
Pakistan drew that series after winning the second Test, ending a run of nine away international red-ball matches without a victory. The win was also their first away Test triumph in three years.
Azhar, however, believes the problems run deeper and are linked to the restructuring of domestic cricket and the sidelining of departmental teams.
“Department cricket is a big need for Pakistan. It’s contributed a lot to our cricket. We shut it down a few years ago, and my personal view is that the slide in Pakistan’s international cricket right now has a lot to do with department cricket being shut down,” Azhar said in an interview with an international cricket news website.
“After that it took department cricket a long time to recover. It was the biggest nursery for Pakistan cricket, and today again it feels like it’s being pushed out,” he added.
The former top-order batsman also questioned the decision to reduce the number of teams participating in domestic competitions, particularly in the context of financial opportunities available to emerging players.
Azhar argued that young cricketers need sustainable financial support if Pakistan wants to maintain a strong talent pipeline.
“It’s easy to say, reduce the teams in domestic cricket. But if you’re not getting financially rewarded for it, how many kids will be able to afford to take up cricket?” he said.
The former captain claimed he had witnessed promising players leave Pakistan after departmental cricket was abolished because they no longer saw a viable future in domestic cricket.
“I’ve seen young players who had to leave Pakistan after department cricket was abolished here. They didn’t see a future here,” he said.
Azhar represented Pakistan in 97 Tests during his international career and remains one of the country’s most experienced red-ball batsmen. His comments have renewed the debate over the structure of Pakistan’s domestic cricket and its ability to consistently produce players capable of succeeding at Test level.
