Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi confronted mounting criticism of the national side in a press briefing in London, arguing that isolated defeats do not signal the end of cricket in the country. Naqvi highlighted recent setbacks for other major teams, including South Africa’s loss to Namibia and India’s surprise defeat to Ireland, to illustrate that even top‑ranked nations can suffer unexpected setbacks.
Pakistan’s recent Test setbacks
The immediate backdrop to Naqvi’s remarks was Pakistan’s disastrous two‑match performance in the opening phase of the three‑match Test series against England. The visitors suffered an innings‑and‑103‑run loss in the first Test and were then beaten by 194 runs in the second at Lord’s, handing England an unassailable 2‑0 lead. In response, the PCB announced a major overhaul of the touring squad, releasing seven senior players – Mohammad Rizwan, Imam‑ul‑Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad – ahead of the next Test in Birmingham and promoting several younger prospects.
Despite the heavy defeats, Naqvi stressed that the broader trajectory of Pakistan cricket remains positive. He pointed to the team’s rise in the One‑Day International (ODI) rankings from eighth to fifth place, and a current standing of sixth in the Twenty‑20 International (T20I) rankings. Naqvi also cited an improvement in the side’s success rate, which he said had climbed from 24 percent to 73 percent across recent ODI series, with four wins out of six series played.
Naqvi’s response and future plans
Addressing the notion that “our cricket is finished,” Naqvi rejected the idea outright, emphasizing that every match and series matters and that the board will bring in any player who can deliver. He warned against drawing conclusions from a few results, noting that rebuilding a side cannot be achieved in three to six months and that moving a team from a low ranking to the top requires a longer horizon.
Naqvi also confronted the tone of some critics, stating that he is not afraid of criticism but questions the credibility of detractors who have not achieved notable success themselves. He said he regularly seeks input from former players and would take seriously any feedback from respected figures such as Wasim Akram. At the same time, he accused certain commentators of targeting him personally rather than focusing on systemic issues within Pakistan cricket.
The chairman acknowledged that the PCB has made mistakes, particularly in selection. He accepted responsibility for occasional errors and noted that the board’s recent selection decisions have come under additional scrutiny after notices were issued to selection committee members Aaqib Javed, Misbah‑ul‑Haq and Asad Shafiq concerning the recommendations of Rizwan and Imam‑ul‑Haq. Following the controversy, Misbah‑ul‑Haq resigned from the committee.
Naqvi reiterated that the board will not allow the team to become demoralised and that decisive action will be taken if players fail to meet performance expectations. He affirmed that the PCB will continue to evaluate talent, make necessary changes, and support a rebuilding process that aligns with the longer‑term objectives of Pakistan cricket.
In summary, Naqvi’s message combined a defence of the current direction of Pakistan cricket, a reminder of recent ranking improvements, and a call for patience as the side works to recover from a challenging Test series. By referencing setbacks experienced by other leading cricket nations, he aimed to contextualise Pakistan’s situation and to argue that the sport’s health in the country cannot be judged on the basis of a few losses alone.
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