During the ICC Champions Trophy broadcast on Pakistani television, former Test captain Mohammad Hafeez stated that cricketers from the 1990s were not just superstars but megastars. However, he expressed regret that they never managed to win an ICC event. The all-rounder emphasised that winning ICC events is a remarkable achievement, and it is unfortunate that, despite having such legendary players, Pakistan could never accomplish that feat. However, he acknowledged that winning the ICC World T20 in 2009 under the leadership of the legendary Younis Khan in England and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 under the captaincy of wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed helped establish Pakistan’s cricketing reputation on the global stage.

As the dust from Mohammad Hafeez’s remarks settled, former Test captain and outspoken critic of match-fixing, Rashid Latif, reignited the debate during Geo News' show Harna Mana Hai. He argued that while cricketers from the 1990s achieved remarkable milestones for Pakistan cricket, it is now time to step away from cricketing affairs and allow fresh perspectives to take over. Rashid Latif questioned why, despite the presence of these big names in administrative roles, Pakistan has failed to win an ICC World Cup since 1992.

In this charged atmosphere, it was inevitable that the "two W’s" would respond. Former captains and legendary fast bowlers Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, who were covering the Champions Trophy for Ten Sports, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Their post highlighted their collective cricketing achievements: 1,705 wickets, 8,594 runs, 66 five-wicket hauls, and 10 ten-wicket hauls across 191 Tests and 618 ODIs. They ended their post with the hashtag #NotBanned – a clear statement addressing past controversies.

While no one disputes the cricketing brilliance of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, the larger issue remains: playing cricket and coaching cricket are two entirely different skills. It is widely acknowledged that a great player does not necessarily make a great coach. This ongoing debate has plagued Pakistan cricket for years. Former cricketers, despite their illustrious careers, have been given multiple opportunities in administrative roles, yet the results have been underwhelming. Interestingly, when these cricketers are not part of the board, they become vocal critics on television. Meanwhile, cricket board chairmen, who often secure their positions through influence rather than merit, attempt to silence criticism by offering these former cricketers lucrative positions. Unfortunately, the real casualty in this power struggle is the Pakistan cricket team – sacrificed on the altar of egos, with no clear vision or direction.

This marks the beginning of a war of words between cricketers from the 20th and 21st centuries. The debate is no longer just about winning ICC events; it now extends to relevance, credibility, and professionalism in the modern cricketing landscape. The truth is, after retirement, many of Pakistan’s former cricketers struggle to define their roles. They must realise that the old ways – jumping between commentary, administrative roles, and foreign leagues at their convenience – will no longer work. The era of professional competence has arrived. While their past achievements will always be celebrated, they can no longer expect unchecked privileges without accountability.

Pakistan cricket must recognize that institutions thrive on structured systems, not individual personalities. A well-functioning system is built on strategy and long-term planning, not personal whims. When Imran Khan became Prime Minister, he imposed a six-team domestic system through Chairman Ehsan Mani. Later, Ramiz Raja, who secured the PCB chairmanship through political favor, wasted billions on the Junior Premier League while neglecting Under-19 cricket. Now, Chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi has introduced five mentors and three Champions Tournaments in domestic cricket.

This raises a crucial question: While the PCB chairman holds immense power, where is it written that cricketing decisions should be dictated by personal preferences? If this continues, Pakistan’s cricket team will remain in turmoil, and former cricketers will continue to move between different roles without any accountability. Without proper planning, Pakistan cricket will remain stuck in a cycle of baseless criticism and impulsive decision-making. What seems like a good move today might be seen as a blunder tomorrow.