Mohsin Naqvi
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has hit back at the growing criticism of Pakistan cricket, questioning whether a few defeats should be enough to declare the sport in the country “finished” while pointing to India’s recent T20I loss to Ireland as an example of how even top sides can suffer unexpected setbacks. Speaking to the media in London, Naqvi defended the PCB’s controversial decisions during Pakistan’s disastrous Test tour of England and insisted that the team’s recent struggles should be viewed in the wider context of its improving white-ball record. “Let me ask you one thing: South Africa lost to Namibia, and India lost to Ireland. Has cricket ended there as well?” Naqvi said. The PCB chief's reference to India came as he sought to push back against those who have questioned Pakistan's direction following back-to-back heavy defeats in the Test series against England. “Yes, one thing is important: whoever we need here, we will definitely bring in. If someone is not clicking or not performing, then what can we do? Every match and every series is important for us,” he added.
‘Our cricket is finished?’
Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat in the opening Test before losing the second match at Lord’s by 194 runs. The results handed England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and triggered a major overhaul of the touring squad. The PCB released seven players — Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad — ahead of the Birmingham Test, while bringing in several younger players. Naqvi defended the sweeping changes and rejected claims that Pakistan cricket had reached its lowest point. “You used to be ranked eighth in ODIs, which has now gone up to fifth. You have had six ODI series, out of which you have won four, but still, our cricket is finished?” he said. “Our success rate has gone up from 24 per cent to 73 per cent, and I'm not talking about just one or the other specific match, but still, our cricket is finished?” Pakistan currently sit fifth in the ODI rankings and sixth in T20Is, according to Naqvi, who argued that rebuilding a struggling side could not happen overnight. “It is not possible to take a team from number nine to number one in three or six months. There is a long way to go,” he said.
Naqvi takes aim at critics
Naqvi was particularly scathing about those who have criticised the PCB and its handling of the team, saying he was not opposed to criticism but questioning the credentials of some of his detractors. “I have never been afraid of criticism, and I never will be,” he said. “Those players who have never achieved anything in their lives, when they talk along these lines, that's unreasonable.” He said he regularly sought opinions from former cricketers and would accept criticism when it came from respected figures. “If a great player like Wasim Akram spoke, I would take it seriously,” Naqvi said, while insisting that some critics were more interested in targeting him personally than addressing Pakistan cricket's problems. At the same time, Naqvi acknowledged that the PCB had made mistakes, particularly in selection, and said he was willing to take responsibility.
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“Sometimes there are mistakes made in selection as well. I am answerable for that, and we need to work on it,” he said. The board's selection decisions have come under further scrutiny after it issued notices to selection committee members Aaqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq, seeking explanations over the recommendations of Rizwan and Imam. Misbah subsequently decided to resign from the selection committee. Despite the turmoil, Naqvi insisted that changes were necessary if players were not delivering and that he would not allow the team to be demoralised.
Would you support the PCB decisions if they were made by respected former players?
Absolutely, they have the experience. Not necessarily, scrutiny is important.
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