It’s a very old saying that the Pakistan cricket team is the most unpredictable side in the game of cricket. The Green Shirts are known for being unpredictable due to their tendency to give strong performances followed by poor ones.

This can be attributed to a lack of consistency and stability within the team, as well as the influence of external factors such as politics.

Pakistan has a relatively small pool of players to choose from, which can make it difficult for the team to maintain a consistent level of performance.

The Pakistan cricket team has had a roller coaster ride in recent years. The team has shown moments of brilliance in the white ball games, but on the other hand also showed inconsistent performances and poor results in Test cricket.

Currently Pakistan stand sixth in the ICC Test team rankings. Pakistan stand fifth and third in the ODI and T20 rankings, respectively.

The gap between the T20 and Test status shows that Pakistani players don't have the patience for the longest version of the game. Test cricket needs temperament, skills and patience, while the shortest version mainly requires power hitting. The Pakistanis are specialists in the shortest format of the game.

Pakistan traditionally have not had a good run in Test cricket. Especially since the early 90's, we have been considered good at ODI cricket and just competitive enough in Tests.

One of the main reasons is the lack of stability in the team and coaching staff. Pakistan has had a revolving door of coaches and captains, which has made it difficult for the team to develop a consistent style of play and build a strong team dynamic.

The team has also struggled with the lack of consistency in selection. Depending on the veteran players and not giving chances to young performers on time are the reasons.

The management has relied heavily on a few key players in the past, and when they have failed to perform, the team has struggled as a whole. This lack of depth in the team has made it difficult for Pakistan to maintain a consistent level of performance.

Pakistan's domestic cricket structure also needs improvement. It's not providing enough opportunities for young talent to come through. It's not providing the pathway for the players to make it to the international level.

Selectors tend to make changes to the team in a knee-jerk reaction to poor performances, rather than sticking with a consistent team that can develop chemistry and improve over time.

Pakistan need an experienced coach who can lift the team’s morale and improve their technical skills. PCB head Najam Sethi wanted to reappoint Mickey Arthur as the head coach, but he declined the offer. He is only willing to offer his services as a consultant for a year.

Pakistan emerged as the best team in the world in Tests and T20 Internationals during the South African-born Micky Arthur’s (2016–2019) reign as head coach. In addition to holding the top spot in ODI format, they won the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy in England with Sarfraz Ahmed serving as captain. The year 2017 was not a great one for team Pakistan in Test cricket; the number one team slipped to the seventh spot.

The four-day domestic matches in Pakistan are not widely followed. The simple reason is that people have no interest in a game played between WAPDA and NBP or other departments, unless both teams have huge stars. The matches are mostly tedious and non-competitive, and the ground conditions are pathetic.

Another reason for the downfall of Test cricket is T20 leagues that make Test cricket less popular around the world. Many Pakistani cricketers don't take part in domestic cricket for "personal reasons" but always remain available for money-making matches abroad, even in non-Test playing countries.

It has been said time and again that the domestic structure of cricket in Pakistan needs a radical overhaul. Only then will we be able to fully overcome the issues facing the sport. If attention is not given to domestic structure, Pakistan will continue struggling in Test cricket.

khurrams87@yahoo.