Former Pakistan captain
The team’s lacklustre performance throughout the tour has drawn intense scrutiny, with some sections of the British media describing the current squad as the poorest Pakistan side to tour in the last 50 years. While acknowledging the team's struggles, Latif argued that the blame lies squarely with the administrative leadership, coaching staff, and the selection committee rather than just the players on the field.
Administrative failures and batting struggles
Speaking to Geo News, Latif did not mince his words regarding the current state of the board. He claimed that the PCB is currently the worst it has been in seven decades, suggesting that the decline of the national team is a direct consequence of poor management. According to Latif, the combination of a failing administration and ineffective selection policies has left the team unable to compete consistently at the international level.
The primary concern for Pakistan has been a persistent batting crisis. The visitors have failed to surpass 200 runs in a single innings throughout the series, placing immense pressure on their bowling attack. The return of Babar Azam for the second Test was expected to provide stability, but the captain struggled significantly, recording scores of only 8 and 6. His second-innings dismissal, where he appeared uncomfortable against a short ball from Jofra Archer, highlighted the team's vulnerability.
Off-field controversy at Lord’s
The second Test was also marked by an off-field dispute involving the PCB and broadcaster Sky Sports. The tension arose after the network aired an 18-minute interview with the sons of former captain and prime minister Imran Khan, discussing his current imprisonment. Reports suggested that the PCB had threatened to withdraw the team from the match if the segment was aired, though both Babar Azam and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed later stated they were unaware of any such directive.
Despite the external distractions, the match proceeded as scheduled, resulting in a comprehensive victory for England. Pakistan will now look to salvage some pride in the final Test of the series, which is set to take place at Edgbaston in Birmingham starting on September 9.
