LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday vowed to leave the national cricket team in a better state before his departure, following a series of disappointing performances.
Naqvi made this commitment a day after Pakistan’s national team suffered a humiliating 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the Rawalpindi Test.
Bangladesh’s victory marked their first-ever Test win against Pakistan, driven by stellar performances from spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan, who together claimed seven wickets in the match.
Pakistan’s batting collapse on the final day, where they were dismissed for 146, allowed Bangladesh to chase a modest target of 30 runs in just 39 balls without losing a wicket.
While addressing a news conference in Lahore, Naqvi described the result as “extremely disappointing.” He said that he has requested a detailed report to review all relevant issues, including the performance of the pitch and team dynamics.
“I don’t have a magic wand to fix the issues,” Naqvi admitted, acknowledging the team’s persistent problems over the past three years.
Naqvi emphasized the necessity of long-term planning to revive the sport in Pakistan. “We will need comprehensive planning to fix cricket,” he stated. He underscored the need for a strategic overhaul to address the team’s ongoing struggles.
The PCB chairman noted that Pakistan’s performance in recent matches has been underwhelming, with the team suffering five losses and four draws in their last nine home games.
Naqvi expressed optimism about the emergence of new talent during the upcoming Champions Cup and stressed the importance of improving domestic cricket. “If domestic cricket improves, then surgery will happen,” he said, referring to potential reforms and enhancements.
The PCB chief announced that Waqar Younis, the former fast bowler, would serve as a mentor for the Champions Cup. Younis, who has been appointed as an adviser until the mentors’ setup is finalized, is expected to play a key role in guiding the team through the tournament.
Naqvi also revealed plans to expand the player pool to 150, selected purely on merit. This initiative aims to provide the PCB with a broader base of talent for selection. The Champions Cup, which will feature this expanded player pool, is set to conclude in the last week of September.