Worst in 70 years: Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakistan board slammed after England debacle

Former Pakistan batsman Rashid Latif has launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), selection committee and coaching staff, saying they are among the worst the country has had in five to seven decades after Babar Azam’s side suffered a 194-run defeat by England at Lord’s on Sunday (August 30).

The loss gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and extended Pakistan’s miserable run on their UK tour. The visitors struggled with England and their biggest concern was batting.

Pakistan have yet to score 200 in an innings in a series, while their overall performances have drawn criticism from the British media. Latif agreed with suggestions that this was the “worst Pakistan side in 50 years” but insisted the players should not bear all the blame.

Instead, the former wicketkeeper-batsman turned his attention to the PCB administration, selection committee and coaching staff.

ENGLAND VS PAKISTAN 2ND TEST DAY 4 HIGHLIGHTS

“Everyone is talking about the Pakistan team and how it is the worst touring team in the last 50 years. But no one is talking about how the current board is the worst in the last 70 years. No one is talking about the worst selection committee and coaches,” Latif said on Geo News.

“If you combine these problems, you will get the answer to your question. You will know who destroyed this team. Now you are losing all the time. This is the worst cricket board, that’s a fact,” he added.

PAKISTAN’S BATTING COLLAPSE

Pakistan’s batting was the main reason behind their poor performance against England. They failed to cross the 200-run mark in either innings in the first two Tests.

Babar Azam missed the opening Test but returned at Lord’s hoping to bolster a fragile batting line-up. However, the Pakistani batsman experienced disappointment as he scored only eight and a six.

Babar’s dismissal in the second innings summed up his struggles. Jofra Archer bowled a sharp short ball that the Pakistan batsman failed to handle, adding pressure to a side that was already struggling for runs.

The Lord’s Test was also played amid the controversy surrounding the interview with Imran Khan’s sons which was broadcast by Sky Sports. The 18-minute interview focused on the situation of the former Pakistan captain and prime minister in prison.

Reports claimed that the PCB had threatened to pull out of the Lord’s Test during the broadcast. However, both Babar and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed denied that Pakistan were considering pulling out of the match.

Pakistan will now have to regroup ahead of the third and final Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham starting on September 9. With the series already lost, Pakistan will be looking to avoid a 3-0 fade away and end the tour on a positive note.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

31 Aug 2026 11:17 IST