Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has defended the decision of the board to make drastic changes to Pakistan's Test setup during the ongoing tour of England. His comments come after Pakistan's 2-0 loss in the series, which has left the national cricket team under severe scrutiny ahead of the third and final Test.
After losing the first two Tests, the PCB sent seven players home, including big names like Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, while the Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also axed, with white-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke taking over.
Mohsin Naqvi Defends PCB's Controversial Decisions
Mohsin Naqvi has justified the drastic measures and denied that he was ever threatened by his critics.
“I have never been intimidated by criticism and I never will,” said Naqvi, speaking to Pakistan-based media outlet Geo News.
According to him, the PCB chief suggested some of those criticizing the board's decisions personally had issues with him, not the direction of Pakistan cricket.
Naqvi further said that he would have taken the criticism more seriously if it had been from a Pakistan cricket legend such as Wasim Akram.
The PCB's decisions have been questioned by several prominent figures associated with Pakistan cricket. Former captain and 1992 World Cup winner Ramiz Raja, former Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf and ex-head coach Mickey Arthur have all criticized the board's approach.
Naqvi however, stood by the sweeping changes and argued that Pakistan's fortunes in white-ball cricket have improved since he took charge of the PCB.
“Those who say cricket has been destroyed since I came – look at what the rankings were before,” said Naqvi.
Pakistan currently sit fifth in the ICC ODI rankings and sixth in the T20I standings. However, their Test fortunes have taken a significant hit, with the team ranked eighth in the latest rankings.
The team's immediate focus is now on the third Test against England, which starts on September 9. Pakistan will be hoping to avoid a series whitewash after losing the first two matches.
Pakistan squad for third Test vs England: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah.
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