PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi with Pakistan white-ball captain Babar Azam. (File)
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi didn’t mince his words while criticising Babar Azam-led side’s six-run loss against arch-rivals India in the T20 World Cup.
“It seemed initially that a minor surgery would suffice but following the extremely poor performance against India, it is clear that a major surgery is necessary,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by the multiple Pakistani media outlets.
“Our performance is at its lowest. Improving the team’s performance is our biggest challenge.”
Chasing 120-run target, Pakistan could only muster 113 for 7 in New York on Sunday.
“It is very disappointing the way we lost to the USA and now this loss to India. We need to now start looking at players beyond those in the team right now,” he said.
India’s Virat Kohli, left, walks off the field after losing his wicket during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in Westbury, New York, Sunday, June 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Naqvi, who took over as chairman in January and later also became the interior minister in the government, made it clear that the PCB had done everything to facilitate the players.
“Why the team is not performing is something everyone is asking. The World Cup is still on. But obviously we will sit down and take a look at everything.”
The PCB Chairman suggested the board will now be focusing on to build a string team for the Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is schedule to host next year.
“We need to prepare the team for the Champions Trophy & it is time to give new talent sitting on the sidelines a chance,” he said.
Pakistan’s rest two matches are against Canada and Ireland. They will have to win the match by heavy margin with the hope that the results of other games will also go their way.
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