Mohsin Naqvi orders ‘major overhaul’ of Pakistan cricket

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has made some big statements after all fingers were pointed at him for Pakistan's loss to Bangladesh at home in the first Test match. They have not won a Test match at home since 2022.

In their recent defeat, Bangladesh won the first Test by 10 wickets after being given a target of just 30 runs in the second innings.

The hosts scored 448 on their first batting and decided to abandon their innings. Bangladesh responded with 565 on their first innings and built a comfortable lead of 117.

The surface was playable until the penultimate day, but by the last day it was so worn out that the Bangladeshi bowlers were able to take advantage of it. Kudos to their bowlers who bowled in good lanes and reaped the rewards.

Pakistan's problems with good spin bowlers came to the fore again, with Bangladesh spinners taking seven wickets. Meanwhile, the home team's decision not to include a spinner in their starting line-up ultimately cost them the win.

Also read: Ramiz Raja issues stern warning to Shan Masood after Pakistan's loss to Bangladesh in Rawalpindi Test

Former Pakistani cricketers target Mohsin Naqvi

Speaking to the media on Monday, Mohsin Naqvi vowed to put Pakistan's cricket fortunes back on track after the recent chaotic home defeat against Bangladesh.

“I will solve the problems in Pakistan cricket, God willing. And changes are on the way,” Naqvi said while speaking to the media.

Recently, former captain Mohammad Hafeez mocked Naqvi after he made a comment about the surgery following Pakistan's loss to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

“Initially, I thought a small operation would be enough, but after this poor performance, it is clear that a major overhaul is needed. The country will soon see significant changes,” Naqvi said.

Over time, there have been few changes in Pakistani cricket. After the ODI World Cup debacle, different captains were announced for different formats. Shan Masood was named as the Test captain and Shaheen Shah Afridi as the T20I captain.

The team's performance in all formats did not improve. Babar was then reinstated as white-ball captain while Shan was retained as Test captain. This move has also not paid off so far.

Naqvi insisted that things are going to change in Pakistan cricket and will not remain as they are. “Mark my words that things are not going to remain as they are and there is a lot going on in the background,” he said, without giving details.

However, he has now been criticised from all sides. Former cricketer Ahmed Shehzad said in a recent video posted on his Twitter account that Naqvi has no idea about the game.

Now Shahid Afridi has also come out in a scathing attack on Naqvi after criticising the Shan Masood-led team’s decision not to include a spinner in the starting XI.

Also read: ‘The operation lasts until death’ – Mohammad Hafeez hilariously trolls PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi