Mohammad Hafeez slams Pakistan cricket for only revolving around PSL and doing nothing outside it

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has stirred debate with his remarks about the direction of Pakistan cricket, suggesting that the country’s heavy reliance on the Pakistan Super League could be limiting the national team’s growth.

Speaking shortly after India lifted the trophy at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Hafeez indirectly criticized the current structure of Pakistan cricket and how much attention revolves around the domestic T20 league.

According to Hafeez, once the World Cup excitement fades, the familiar cycle will begin again. “The whistle will blow, the stage will be set, and in the Pakistan Super League our Pakistani stars will once again shine,” he said, pointing out that the entire focus of the cricket ecosystem seems to revolve around the tournament.

Hafeez acknowledged that the Pakistan Super League has been a massive success for the country. The league has helped promote local talent, strengthened the cricket economy, and brought international attention back to Pakistan’s cricketing landscape.

However, the former all-rounder warned that Pakistan cricket must look beyond the league if it wants consistent international success.

“I believe PSL is a huge success and a very profitable venture for Pakistan cricket,” Hafeez explained. “But we also need to realize that until we move beyond PSL, and until all cricket stops revolving only around the PSL, the Pakistan national team will struggle to achieve major success.”

His remarks highlight a broader concern among analysts that while franchise leagues help players financially and provide exposure, overdependence on them can sometimes overshadow long-term national team development.

The comments come at a time when discussions around Pakistan’s international performance and player development pathways have intensified following the conclusion of the global tournament.

Hafeez’s statement has already triggered conversation among fans and experts alike, raising an important question: Can Pakistan cricket strike the right balance between the success of the PSL and the long-term ambitions of the national team?