The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to part ways with Mohammad Wasim, head coach of the national women’s cricket team, following a disastrous campaign at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, where Pakistan failed to win a single match.
Wasim, a former Pakistan international batter who took charge of the women’s team last year, has struggled to deliver consistent performances in major tournaments. According to PCB insiders, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed strong dissatisfaction over the team’s poor showing, which ultimately led to the decision not to renew Wasim’s contract.
A PCB official, quoted by PTI via India.com, revealed that Chairman Naqvi was “unhappy with Wasim’s inability to meet expectations during his tenure as coach.”
Under Wasim’s leadership, Pakistan endured a string of disappointing results. The team finished seventh in the eight-team World Cup, collecting only three points from seven games — a result of four defeats and three rain-affected no-results. Had Bangladesh earned a better outcome in their final fixture, Pakistan risked finishing last on the table.
Although there were glimpses of potential — notably a near-upset against England — the squad struggled with inconsistency and fragile batting performances, issues that have long plagued Pakistan women’s cricket. Ironically, Wasim himself was a specialist batter during his playing career, representing Pakistan in 18 Tests and 25 ODIs, yet he failed to elevate the team’s batting standards.
An internal source noted, “The biggest criticism of Wasim is that, despite being a batter, the team’s batting remained its weakest area, showing no visible improvement during his time in charge.”
Performance wasn’t the only issue. Reports suggest Wasim’s strained relationships with support staff and officials further influenced the PCB’s decision. Insiders claim he struggled to maintain effective communication and coordination within the team environment, creating friction behind the scenes. “There were complaints that he wasn’t approachable or cooperative with other team officials,” the source added.
The disappointing World Cup followed a series of earlier setbacks under Wasim’s guidance. Pakistan exited the Women’s Asia Cup in the semi-finals against Sri Lanka and managed only one victory in four matches at the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa earlier in 2025.
However, Pakistan’s World Cup campaign was also affected by external factors. Due to ongoing political tensions with India, the team was forced to play all its matches in Sri Lanka under a tri-nation agreement involving the PCB, BCCI, and ICC. The monsoon season added further challenges, with three matches washed out by rain, including their October 15 clash against England, where Pakistan was on the verge of a major upset before the weather intervened.
With Wasim’s exit now imminent, the PCB has started searching for a new head coach, with strong indications that a foreign candidate is being considered. “Talks are underway with potential foreign coaches, and an official announcement is expected soon,” said a PCB insider.
This move is part of a broader restructuring drive led by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who has emphasized accountability and performance-based leadership across both the men’s and women’s teams. While the men’s side, coached by Mike Hesson of New Zealand, has shown mixed results, the board is intent on maintaining long-term stability while addressing persistent weaknesses.
If confirmed, Wasim’s departure will mark a major shift for Pakistan women’s cricket — a step toward rebuilding confidence, refining strategy, and preparing for future ICC events and regional competitions.
