Gohar Shah raises serious concerns over Pakistan Cricket’s culture, PCB and PSL model

Multan Sultans owner Gohar Shah has issued a strongly worded assessment of Pakistan cricket, highlighting what he believes are deep-rooted problems involving players, journalists, former cricketers, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the structure of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

In a lengthy social media post, Shah said he was a Pakistan cricket fan before becoming a stakeholder and felt obliged to offer an “honest assessment” despite acknowledging that his comments could “land” him in trouble.

Shah questioned the professionalism and work ethic of some Pakistan players, claiming that late nights and junk food were common and that players sometimes appeared unwilling to put in the “tough yards.”

He also criticised the intensity of Pakistan’s fast bowlers, particularly in Test cricket, arguing that some pacers appeared reluctant to run after the ball after long spells. He further pointed to a perceived difference between their Test and white-ball bowling speeds, suggesting that concerns over injuries and losing lucrative T20 opportunities could be influencing their approach.

The Multan Sultans owner was equally scathing about sections of the sports media. He acknowledged that the growth of sports journalism had brought greater transparency to Pakistan cricket, but alleged that “bad eggs” had taken over and that some journalists pursued personal agendas by building narratives around players and individuals they favoured.

Shah also questioned the role of former Pakistan cricketers, arguing that, apart from a few who had obtained coaching qualifications and gained practical experience, many preferred appearing on television to discuss problems rather than developing solutions or acquiring the skills needed to contribute to the game.

Turning his attention to the PCB, Shah described the organisation as overly bureaucratic, claiming that employees often fear speaking openly because of concerns about their jobs and possible backlash.

Importantly, Shah said he did not believe the PCB chairman was necessarily the problem, instead arguing that decision-making could be improved through better advisers and stronger cricket-specific leadership.

He also raised concerns over the PSL franchise model, particularly the 10-year lease structure. According to Shah, franchise owners have little incentive to invest heavily in developing their brands and talent when they ultimately have to return the teams to the PCB.

He further criticised retention rules and category changes, arguing that owners can invest in players and talent development only to potentially lose those players because of changes to the league’s rules.

Concluding his post, Shah stressed that

Pakistan cricket remains close to his heart and expressed his hope that the country can return not merely to being competitive, but to becoming “the best.”