Mohsin Naqvi warns of impending changes, urging stakeholders to take his words seriously.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Signals Major Changes Following 10-Wicket Defeat to Bangladesh
In the wake of Pakistan’s crushing 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the Rawalpindi Test, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has vowed to address the team’s ongoing issues. Naqvi made a resolute statement to the media on Monday, expressing his commitment to improving Pakistan cricket. “I will fix the issues in Pakistan cricket, God willing,” Naqvi assured, promising significant changes behind the scenes.
Naqvi’s comments come in response to a historic win by Bangladesh, who secured their first-ever Test victory over Pakistan with a remarkable 10-wicket triumph. Pakistan, having been dismissed for a mere 146 runs in their second innings, fell short as Bangladesh chased down a modest target of 30 runs without losing a wicket. Spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan were pivotal in this historic win, claiming seven wickets between them. Mehidy took 4-21, while Shakib added 3-44, leading to Pakistan’s collapse on the final day. The hosts’ second innings crumbled, leaving them with no defense as Bangladesh’s openers, Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam, completed the chase in just 6.3 overs.
The defeat comes on the heels of an earlier setback for Pakistan when they narrowly lost to India by six runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup, putting their qualification for the Super Eight stage in jeopardy. Following that match, Naqvi had hinted at a potential overhaul of the national team. He had indicated that a “major surgery” might be required, a sentiment he reaffirmed after the recent Test debacle. “Initially, I believed a minor surgery would suffice, but after this poor performance, it’s clear that a major overhaul is needed. The nation will soon witness substantial changes,” Naqvi declared.
The Rawalpindi Test witnessed Zakir Hasan hitting the winning boundary, with Shadman Islam remaining unbeaten on nine runs as Bangladesh celebrated their momentous victory. Mohammad Rizwan was the standout performer for Pakistan, scoring 51 in their second innings, including six boundaries. However, Pakistan’s situation was dire, with the team struggling at 108-6 at lunch on the final day. Despite the efforts of Rizwan, the team was unable to stave off defeat. Mehidy Hasan’s dismissal of Rizwan and his subsequent removal of last man Mohammad Ali for a duck ensured Bangladesh’s dominance.
Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, dedicated the win to those who lost their lives during recent political turmoil in Bangladesh. The turmoil led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this month after weeks of student-led protests. This significant political backdrop adds a layer of emotional depth to Bangladesh’s historic cricketing achievement.
With the national team under intense scrutiny, Naqvi’s promised changes are anticipated to address the current performance issues and restore Pakistan’s competitive edge. As the cricketing community watches closely, the coming months will be crucial for Pakistan as they aim to rebuild and reassert themselves on the international stage.