Gautam Gambhir concerned about Pakistan cricket's decline, claims Pakistan selector

Former Pakistan fast bowler Aaqib Javed has revealed that India head coach Gautam Gambhir is concerned about the decline of the Pakistan cricket team in recent times. Javed claimed that Gambhir is disappointed with the sudden decline in the performances of Pakistan.

Pakistan cricket team is currently going through a poor time with the team suffering continuous defeats. The Men in Green were knocked out of the first round of the T20 World Cup 2024 after suffering a shocking defeat to the USA.

If this wasn't enough, Pakistan were thrashed 0-2 by Bangladesh in a home Test series. It was one of the worst moments in Test cricket history. The series of losses did not stop there as Pakistan lost the first match of the three-match Test series to England.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Cricket Board Eyeing a Desperate Move for a Final Decision on the Venue

"Pakistan cricket ko kya ho gaya hai" - Aaqib Javed reveals Gautam Gambhir's words

During a podcast, Aaqib Javed revealed an incident where he met some of the Indian players during India's tour of Sri Lanka in July 2024. During the series, Javed also met India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, who was in his first assignment as India's head coach at that time.

The former Pakistan quick spoke about the conversation between him and Gautam Gambhir in which India's head coach expressed concerns about the state of Pakistan cricket. Javed also claimed that there will be no excitement in India-Pakistan matches if Pakistan's cricket keeps on declining.

"Indian players met me during their Sri Lanka series. Their coach Gautam Gambhir came to me and asked, 'Aaqib (Javed) Bhai, Pakistan cricket ko kya ho gaya hai (what happened to Pakistan cricket)? We see there's so much talent in Pakistan, what have they done to the team?' Even he is disappointed as there are already less cricket-playing nations in the world," Javed said.

"The excitement and charm of the India-Pakistan matches will come to an end if your team gets declined this way. He (Gautam Gambhir) is concerned about it," he added.

Aqib Javed said "Gautam Gambhir met me during India vs Sri Lanka series last month and asked me 'Aqib Bhai, what happened to Pakistan cricket? We see there's so much talent in Pakistan, what have they done to the team?" 🇮🇳🇵🇰💔 pic.twitter.com/45etqv80QS

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 17, 2024

India defeated Pakistan in a recent match between the two teams

India-Pakistan matches have been going one-sided mostly with India claiming an upper hand over their arch-rivals. Recently, they faced each other in the group stage of T20 World Cup 2024 where India emerged victorious in a thrilling match by 6 runs.

The decision to drop Pakistan's high-profile players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah from the second Test came under huge scrutiny as several former and current cricketers criticized the new selection panel.

Kamran Ghulam scores a hundred on debut

However, Babar's replacement Kamran Ghulam struck a maiden hundred on his international debut. Ghulam top-scored for Pakistan with 118 off 224 balls and smashed 11 fours and 1 six. The innings turned out to be the difference between the two teams later.

Pakistan played with three spinners after dropping Shaheen and Naseem and Sajid Khan and Noman Ali proved it right by picking up all the ten wickets in the first innings.