Major changes are underway in Pakistan women’s cricket as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted not to extend the contract of head coach Muhammad Wasim. This decision comes in the wake of a deeply disappointing performance by the national team at the recent Women’s ODI World Cup held in India.
Rameem Shamim of Pakistan celebrates with teammates. (Photo by Sameera Peiris/Getty Images)
Pakistan’s campaign in the tournament was dismal, concluding without a single victory from their seven matches. Four games resulted in losses, while three were unfortunately abandoned due to rain, leaving the team languishing in seventh place within the eight-team standings. This position could potentially drop further depending on Bangladesh’s final match.
Sources within the PCB indicate that Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed significant dissatisfaction with the team’s overall showing and coach Wasim’s apparent inability to instigate meaningful improvements. Wasim, a former cricketer, was appointed last year, but his tenure has been plagued by inconsistency and a series of missed opportunities.
Under his leadership, Pakistan faced an early exit from the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup, losing in the semi-finals to Sri Lanka. Their performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa was equally concerning, where they managed only one win out of four matches.
Despite his own strong background as a batter, Wasim notably struggled to bolster Pakistan’s batting unit, which has consistently been identified as the team’s most significant weakness in international competitions. Furthermore, reports emerged suggesting a strained working relationship between Wasim and other members of the support staff, with some describing him as unapproachable.
According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), the PCB is actively considering bringing in a foreign coach to take the helm. This move is aimed at introducing a fresh perspective and revitalizing the team’s performance. An official announcement regarding the new coaching appointment is anticipated in the coming days, as the board looks to embark on a new direction for women’s cricket in Pakistan.