LONDON – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has mounted a firm defence of the board’s decision to make sweeping changes to the national Test squad, insisting the moves were unavoidable and hinting that factors beyond on-field performance are under review.
Speaking to media in London on Wednesday, Naqvi expressed deep disappointment with the team’s recent showings but stopped short of offering a full explanation for the dramatic overhaul that followed Pakistan’s defeat in the Lord’s Test. The PCB sent seven players, including opener Imam-ul-Haq, back home and removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from their roles.
No Fixed Tenure for Leadership Roles
Naqvi pushed back against the notion that individuals appointed to key positions should automatically remain in place for extended periods. He questioned whether South Africa’s defeat against Namibia or India’s loss to Ireland signalled the end of those cricketing nations, arguing that setbacks are part of the game.
“The player needed in a particular situation will be given an opportunity,” Naqvi said. “Every match is important for Pakistan.”
The PCB chairman acknowledged that Salman Ali Agha is an excellent cricketer but said the player had failed to perform, which prompted direct discussions with him. Naqvi insisted he would not make decisions based on criticism alone.
“There is an issue whenever someone is appointed and another issue whenever someone is removed,” he said. “Things could not have gone worse than they did in the last two Tests.”
Accountability and Improvement Claims
Naqvi expressed confidence that Pakistan’s Test cricket would improve, pointing to gains in limited-overs formats under the new coaching team. He said the board remains accountable for results.
According to Naqvi, Pakistan’s ODI ranking has climbed from eighth to fifth since the arrival of the new coaching staff, with the team winning four of six bilateral series. In T20Is, he said Pakistan moved from ninth to sixth place, with the winning percentage rising from 24% to 74%.
“Criticism is justified when the team loses a match,” Naqvi said. “But it is unfair to immediately declare that Pakistan cricket has come to an end.”
Selection Mistakes and Calls for Unity
Naqvi admitted that mistakes were made during selection, saying those involved were not angels. He said selectors would be held accountable while also being given the opportunity to continue working.
He took aim at critics, saying some people who had achieved nothing in their lives were criticising others. Naqvi said he was not afraid of criticism and actively sought opinions from former cricketers.
“The discouragement of players needs to end,” Naqvi said. “I will not allow players to be publicly blamed.”
He congratulated the coaching staff and selection committee for the team’s performances in ODIs and T20Is, while acknowledging that Pakistan’s Test performance had been very poor. Naqvi said there were several reasons behind the slump, but added it was not appropriate to discuss some of those reasons at this stage.
“If anyone has a personal grudge against me, they can criticise me,” Naqvi said. “But I urge them not to target Pakistan cricket.”
Team Arrives in Birmingham for Third Test
Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket team has arrived in Birmingham and will hold a training session at Edgbaston Cricket Ground on Thursday. Pakistan and England will play the third Test from September 9 at the same venue.
Selection Committee Member Explains Overhaul
PCB Director High Performance and selection committee member Aqib Javed offered a more detailed explanation for the changes, saying Pakistan had played two Test matches without appearing competitive, with one Test still remaining.
According to Aqib, the team management had a pace-bowling all-rounder, a second wicketkeeper and fast bowler Ubaid Shah available, but decisions were not made to utilise these players. He said Ubaid Shah could bowl at around 140 kilometres per hour, a pace that could change the structure of Pakistan’s bowling attack.
Aqib said he had asked captain Babar Azam and the coach to include Ubaid Shah because the pace of other bowlers, including Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad, was roughly similar. He also noted that none of Pakistan’s top seven batters bowled, which made the inclusion of an all-rounder necessary.
Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq resigned from the selection panel following the major changes to the recent squad.
