Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has publicly called on Mohsin Naqvi to step down from one of his two highly influential positions: either as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) or as the Minister of Interior. Afridi passionately argues that Pakistan cricket is in a critical state and demands the singular, unwavering focus that Naqvi simply cannot provide while juggling both prominent roles.
Naqvi’s leadership at the PCB, which began in 2024, has been riddled with significant challenges. Under his watch, the national team has faced considerable setbacks, including struggles in home Test matches, a disappointing performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy, and now, a mixed bag of results in the recent Asia Cup. While there have been glimmers of improvement under new coach Mike Hesson, Pakistan’s 2025 Asia Cup campaign was largely overshadowed by three decisive losses against arch-rivals India.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Afridi emphasized to Telecom Asia Sport: “My request, or rather advice, to Naqvi Saheb is that these are two incredibly vital posts, requiring substantial time and dedication. The PCB operates in a vastly different sphere from the Interior Ministry, and thus, these responsibilities must be kept separate.”
Afridi continued, expressing the urgency for change: “This would be a significant decision that needs to be made as quickly as possible. Pakistan cricket needs dedicated attention and time… Naqvi cannot afford to solely rely on advisors. These advisors are leading him astray, and he himself says that he doesn’t know much about cricket. He needs to appoint good and competent advisors who truly understand the game.”
The challenges for Naqvi have only mounted with his additional appointment as chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). His time leading the 2025 Asia Cup was not without controversy, particularly concerning his interactions with the Indian cricket delegation. A notable incident occurred during the trophy presentation, where the victorious Indian team reportedly expressed reluctance to accept the award from Naqvi, citing his past anti-India positions. In a dramatic turn, Naqvi subsequently departed the stadium with the winners’ trophy.
These accumulating events have placed immense pressure on Mohsin Naqvi as he endeavors to balance his diverse responsibilities within both Pakistani cricket administration and government. The efficacy of his multi-faceted role management has become a prominent and contentious topic within global cricket circles.
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