NEW DELHI: Jailed former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has delivered a sharp, sarcastic critique aimed at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Khan mockingly suggested that Naqvi should open the innings alongside Army Chief General Asim Munir if Pakistan harbors any hope of winning a cricket match against India.
Imran Khan’s sarcastic remarks came in the wake of Pakistan’s back-to-back defeats to India in the ongoing Asia Cup. (Image credit: Agencies)
Imran’s biting comments were made in the wake of Pakistan’s back-to-back defeats to India during the recent Asia Cup tournament in Dubai.
His sister, Aleema Khan, conveyed his remarks to reporters on Monday. According to her, Imran stated that Pakistan’s only realistic chance of defeating India would materialize if General Munir and Naqvi were to open the batting. He further quipped that former Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja should serve as the on-field umpires, with Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar stepping in as the third umpire.
Aleema mentioned that she had informed her brother about Pakistan’s twin defeats against India, which prompted his humorous yet critical jab.
Imran, who famously led Pakistan to its sole ODI World Cup triumph in 1992, has consistently blamed Naqvi for the perceived decline of Pakistan cricket, levying accusations of “incompetence” and “nepotism.”
The 72-year-old political figure has also repeatedly accused General Munir of orchestrating the theft of his party’s mandate in the February 2024 general elections, allegedly with assistance from then-Chief Justice Isa and Election Commissioner Raja.
The founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has been in custody since August 2023, facing multiple legal cases.