“The world is laughing at Pakistan?”: Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB sharp criticism for turning the team into a “laughing stock” | Cricket news

Babar Azam and Mushin Naqvi (Agency photo)

Nasser Hussein He joined growing criticism from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing the governing body of making the situation worse after the team suffered defeats in the first two Tests of the three-match series in England.Pakistan They were beaten at Headingley and Lord’s, after which the PCB undertook an overhaul of the touring set-up. Seven players were returned from England, while two members of the technical staff were removed. The move has drawn criticism from former players and pundits across the cricket world.Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and In front of the truth He was among those asked to return home. Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has also been replaced, with Mike Hesson set to take charge of the third Test in Birmingham, which begins on September 9.The controversy extended beyond team changes. Aaqib Javed, PCB’s director of high performance, criticized Imam on live television and questioned the opener’s commitment to the team.Imam suffered a calf strain on the opening day of the Lord’s Test and was subsequently ruled out of the match. The left-handed batsman did not bat in either innings, while his actions on day four raised questions about the severity of the injury.Before the start of play on the fourth day, Imam was seen knocking the ball despite his injury. The footage sparked further scrutiny, with former England international Stuart Broad saying it was all “for show”.However, Hussain believes the bigger problem lies in how the PCB is handling the matter.Speaking on Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, the former England captain said Pakistan were not ridiculed initially after their poor performance, but said the PCB’s subsequent actions turned the team into a laughing stock.“I don’t think the world was laughing at Pakistan after Headingley. My rant at Lord’s about them not responding, that the India-Pakistan matches were very one-sided and that they were a poor team playing poorly, I wasn’t laughing at them,” Hussain said.“It was just a matter of frustration to see what this great cricketing nation has come to now. What they have done now is make a laughing stock of them. They have made it worse,” he added.

Hussein questions the Imam’s dealings

Hussain then turned his attention to the treatment of the Imam, expressing his disbelief that a senior official within Pakistan cricket would publicly criticize one of the team’s players.He said that regardless of whether Emam was actually injured or not, the situation should have been dealt with internally, with the player receiving appropriate support and respect.“I can’t believe how a high-performing manager can go on TV, right or wrong, and throw a player under the bus. “Either he is infected or he is not,” Hussein said.He added: “For every other touring team, if we ask about the player’s performance, they will say: ‘He has undergone a scan and will only bat if necessary.’ The whole deal with Iman’s situation is ridiculous. You have to protect your players a little bit.”The PCB’s decisions have now left Pakistan facing the final test with a significantly changed squad and coaching structure, after a series that had already come under intense scrutiny following two heavy defeats.