Gavaskar on Pakistan’s Decline: Imran Khan Wouldn’t Have Tolerated This

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has taken a dig at Pakistan’s cricket team, suggesting that if Imran Khan were leading the side today, he would have "beaten everyone with his bat."

Gavaskar’s remarks come in response to Pakistan’s disappointing performances, including their recent T20I series loss against New Zealand and their early exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Pakistan’s Recent Struggles

  • ODI Tri-Series (New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan) ? Lost in the final to New Zealand

  • 2025 Champions Trophy ? Eliminated in the group stage

  • T20I Series vs. New Zealand (2025) ? Lost 4-1

Speaking to Sports Tak, Gavaskar humorously remarked:

“Pakistan ke kaptaan Imran Khan agar kaptaan hote to sabki balle se pitaee laga dete.”
(If Pakistan captain Imran Khan had been the skipper, he would have beaten everyone with his bat.)

Upcoming ODI Series vs. New Zealand

After a 4-1 defeat in the T20Is, Pakistan now prepares for a three-match ODI series in New Zealand, starting March 29 in Napier.

Pakistan Squads

T20I Squad

Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan

ODI Squad

Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir

With Mohammad Rizwan leading the ODI squad, Pakistan will aim for a comeback and regain form ahead of major international tournaments.