“India lost to Ireland. Is cricket over?”: Mohsin Naqvi hits back at critics, defends Pakistan cricket shock

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has hit out at growing criticism of Pakistan cricket, questioning whether a few defeats should be enough to declare the sport “over” in the country and 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 decision during Pakistan’s disastrous Test tour of England and insisted that the team’s recent performances should be seen 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. Is cricket over there too?” Naqvi said.The PCB chief’s message to India came as he sought to push back against those who questioned Pakistan’s direction after the heavy Test series defeats against England.“Yes, one thing is important: whoever we need here, we will definitely bring. If someone is not clicking or not performing, then what can we do? Every game and every series is important for us,” he added.

“Is our cricket over?”

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 gave England an elusive 2-0 lead in the three-match series and triggered a major overhaul of the away team.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, bringing in several younger players.Naqvi advocated sweeping changes and dismissed 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 had six ODI series out of which you won four, yet our cricket is over?” he said.“Our success rate has gone from 24 per cent to 73 per cent, and I’m not just talking about one or the other particular match, but is our cricket finished yet?”Pakistan are currently fifth in the ODI rankings and sixth in T20Is, according to Naqvi, who argued that rebuilding the struggling side cannot happen overnight.“It is not possible to take a team from number nine to number one in three or six months. We have a long way to go,” he said.

Naqvi takes aim at critics

Naqvi was particularly scathing of those who criticized the PCB and its treatment of the team, saying that he was not against criticism but questioned the credibility of some of his critics.“I’ve never been afraid of criticism and I never will be,” he said.“Those players who have never achieved anything in their life, when they talk in this way, it is unreasonable.He said he regularly sought the views of former cricketers and would accept criticism if it came from respected personalities.“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 the problems of Pakistan cricket.At the same time, Naqvi acknowledged that the PCB had made mistakes, especially in selection, and said he was willing to take responsibility.“Sometimes selection mistakes are also made. I am responsible for that and we have to work on it,” he said.The board’s selection decisions came under further scrutiny after it issued notices to selection committee members Aaqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq seeking clarification on the recommendation of Rizwan and Imam.Misbah subsequently decided to resign from the selection committee.Despite the uproar, Naqvi insisted that changes were necessary if the players were not performing and that he would not allow the team to be demoralized.

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