New Delhi: Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has raised concerns about the condition of cricket in the country, revealing that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi admitted to him that he lacks knowledge about cricket. The situation within the Pakistan cricket environment is being widely discussed following the senior team’s early exit from the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 during the group stage.
The team captained by Mohammad Rizwan was unable to reach the semi-finals following losses to New Zealand and India. Their final group-stage game against Bangladesh was canceled due to rain in Rawalpindi, resulting in Pakistan finishing last in the group.
Aaqib Javed’s coaching and his choices regarding player selections for the tournament are facing criticism. Notably, Pakistan entered the Champions Trophy, which they hosted, with only one primary spinner, Abrar Ahmed.
Shahid Afridi has criticized PCB chairman Naqvi, suggesting that he should associate with individuals knowledgeable about cricket instead of bureaucrats.
“I met the chairman sahab a few days ago in Lahore. The initiative about the grounds, the work done at the Gadaffi stadium, is pretty good and pretty beautiful. He has worked, and he wants to work further,” Afridi said on Samaa TV.
“But he also says that he doesn’t know anything about cricket. When you don’t know cricket then you should work with good, technical people who have some connection with the sport,” he added.
In recent years, there have been numerous shifts in leadership within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Multiple coaches have stepped down, and the captaincy has transitioned between various players.
Shahid Afridi expressed that the absence of experienced professionals within the PCB has contributed to the diminishing performance of the national team. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing the domestic cricket framework in Pakistan.
“The faces we are seeing in the selection committee and directors, they don’t know cricket, they have all been bureaucrats. What is their relation with cricket? Why are they sitting in the selection committee? Why are they running the domestic cricket system?” asked Afridi.
“Everyone’s seeing the Pakistan team. You should strengthen the domestic cricket structure. If the guardian is good, the child will automatically be good,” he added.
Mohsin Naqvi serves as the internal minister for the government of Pakistan. He previously held the position of caretaker chief minister of Punjab and assumed the role of chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board last year.
Under Mohsin Naqvi’s leadership, Pakistan was eliminated from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup during the group stage.
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