India lost to Ireland. Is cricket over?’: Mohsin Naqvi hits back at his critics and advocates for change in Pakistani cricket | Cricket news

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has responded to growing criticism of Pakistan Cricket, questions whether a few defeats should be enough to declare the country’s sport “over” while pointing to India’s recent T20I loss to Ireland as an example of how even top teams can suffer unexpected setbacks.Speaking to the media in London, Naqvi defended the PCB’s controversial decisions during Pakistan’s disastrous Test tour of England and insisted that the team’s recent struggles must be viewed in the wider context of their improving white-ball record.“Let me ask you one thing: South Africa lost to Namibia, and India lost to Ireland. Is cricket over here too?” Naqvi said.The PCB chief’s reference to India came as he sought to counter those who questioned Pakistan’s direction following successive heavy defeats in the Test series against England.“Yes, one thing is important: whoever we need here, we will definitely bring. If someone does not click or does not perform, what can we do? Every match 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 unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and sparked an overhaul of the touring squad.The PCB released seven players – Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Owais Zafar and Khurram Shehzad – ahead of the Birmingham Test, while bringing in several younger players.Naqvi defended the sweeping changes and rejected claims that Pakistani cricket had reached its lowest point.“You used to be ranked eighth in ODIs, which has now risen to fifth. You have had six ODI series, won four of them, but still our cricket is over,” he said.“Our success rate has gone from 24 per cent to 73 per cent, and I’m not talking about one specific match or another, but still, our cricket is over?”Pakistan are currently ranked fifth in the ODI rankings and sixth in T20Is, according to Naqivi, who said rebuilding a struggling side cannot happen overnight.“It is not possible to move a team from ninth place to first place in three or six months. There is a long way to go,” he said.

Naqvi targets critics

Naqvi was particularly scathing towards those who criticized the Coordination Council and its handling of the team, saying he was not opposed to criticism but questioned the credentials of some of his critics.He added: “I have never been afraid of criticism, and I never will be.”“These players who have never achieved anything in their lives, when they talk like this, it is unbelievable.”He said he regularly seeks opinions from former cricketers and will accept criticism when it comes from respected figures.“If a great player like Wasim Akram speaks, I will take his words seriously,” Naqvi said, while insisting that some critics were more interested in targeting him personally than addressing Pakistan cricket’s problems.Meanwhile, Naqvi admitted that the PCB made mistakes, especially in selection, and said he was willing to take responsibility.He said, “Sometimes errors in selection also occur. I am responsible for that and we must work to correct them.”The board’s selection decisions have come under increased scrutiny after it issued notices to selection committee members Aaqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq seeking clarifications on the recommendations of Rizwan and Imam.After that, Misbah decided to resign from the selection committee.Despite the turmoil, Naqvi insisted that changes were necessary if players were not performing well and that he would not allow the team’s morale to be demoralised.