Boria Majumdar's column: Pakistan blames itself for its poor condition in cricket

Midway through the Test series with England, Pakistan panicked and took such a step that don't ask. He sent back seven players and removed the coaches, as if he wanted to set an example to teach them a lesson. Now Babar Azam is saying on record that he had no idea about these decisions. So what did the PCB want to set an example by sending these players home? Insults and abuse? And what message is being sent to other players in Pakistan by what they have done? The players and coaches are being attacked, but what about the officials? Why not a word about them? Why are they not accountable? How can it be that no one even asks them a question and they keep acting as if nothing happened? The truth is that players are easy targets and pawns. The PCB can get away with treating them with contempt. And since he is in a position of power, no one will dare to challenge him. Pakistani cricket and its sports world have fallen prey to the arrogance of the political class that is at the helm of the sports administration there. It is true that the players have also not done well in the series, but if you are hearing in the dressing room that your board is threatening to boycott the match and the series, then in what mental state will you continue to play? How will you be able to focus on your work? Take the example of Salman Agha. He was asked to take over the captaincy at the last minute in the first Test and then dropped from the team for the second Test. Now he has been sent home before the third Test. This is ridiculous. How can you judge a player on the basis of a Test match in England? That too when he has been given the responsibility of captaincy at the last moment? In Pakistan, things have been allowed to go on like this for a very long time. For a very long time, players and commentators have been silent. Finally, now we are seeing influential people raising their voices. Former players have to speak up, because in the end, the only loss is the game. The players who have been sent back are returning home humiliated and their future looks uncertain. And the players who are playing in England do not have time to adapt to the conditions. In such a situation, the team has to be completely broken mentally. And the broader picture is that all these incidents can be linked to Pakistan being a 'feld-state'. The game is just another reflection of that. The picture is frightening everywhere. There is no player who can be a ray of hope. Politics dominates everything there. Interference and control at every level has ruined Pakistan's game. The cricket team is just an example of what such interference can do. The blame is being put on the players. But is it their fault? Can all the blame for Pakistan's downfall be put on them and the rest of the things can be covered? The big question is, how many people in Pakistan today will point fingers at the politicians who have been constantly interfering in the game and who have brought Pakistan cricket to this condition? This is the failure of the entire system. The structure is completely collapsed. It is a lifeless state in which the game has no value. This is also the reason for the dedication of the Pakistani team at Lord's and its plight in hockey. At the moment, this is the story of Pakistan as a country and there are very few things to indicate that it is going to change anytime soon. Until then, the fans and players will continue to be sacrificed on the altar of big political egos. The picture is horrific everywhere in Pakistan. Politics dominates everything. Interference and control at every level has ruined Pakistan's game. The cricket team is just an example of what this kind of political interference can do in the game. (These are the author's own views)