NEW DELHI: Pakistan great Zaheer Abbas on Thursday cited focus on T20 cricket and the influx of money as key reasons for the decline of Pakistan cricket.
At a cricket conclave, Abbas shared his concerns over the current state of cricket in Pakistan. “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,” news agency ANI quoted Abbas as saying.
The growing popularity of T20 cricket has created an imbalance between formats. Abbas, who once elevated Pakistan cricket to great heights, expressed his disappointment with the modern players’ focus on financial gains.
“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.
According to Abbas, the shift towards financial priorities is a key reason why Pakistan has struggled to maintain its dominance in international cricket, especially in Test matches.
The former Pakistan captain strongly critiqued 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.
“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 spoke the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to take place in Pakistan, calling for smooth cricketing relations between India and Pakistan.
“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 relations between India and Pakistan have affected their cricketing ties, with no bilateral series taking place for several years.
Abbas called for renewed engagement, which could help revive cricket in Pakistan.
The legend also shared a memorable and humorous incident from a Test match against India in 1978, where he faced an unexpected bowler in Sunil Gavaskar.
“When I saw Gavaskar coming to bowl, I thought it would be tough for me. I wasn’t taking him seriously,” Abbas chuckled. However, his light-hearted approach cost him dearly. “I played a shot, it went in the air, and I was caught,” he said.
The moment marked Gavaskar’s only wicket in Test cricket, a fact the Indian great would later fondly recall. “Gavaskar said he’ll always be proud of the fact that his first and only Test wicket was that of Zaheer Abbas,” Abbas shared with a smile.
