NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan Prime Minister and legendary cricketer Imran Khan has publicly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Moshin Naqvi following the team’s recent loss to Bangladesh in the first Test match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
This defeat marks the first time Pakistan have suffered a 10-wicket loss in a Test match on home soil.
In a statement released via his X (formerly Twitter) account, Khan attributed the team’s declining performance to the PCB’s leadership, specifically targeting the PCB chief.
He pointed out the stark contrast between the team’s current form and their 10-wicket victory over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, questioning the management decisions that have led to this downturn.
“Cricket is the only sport the entire nation watches with great interest on TV, but even that has been destroyed by powerful quarters who brought in an unqualified, favoured official to maintain their control. For the first time, we (Pakistan) didn’t make it to the top four in the World Cup or the top eight in T20. And yesterday, we faced an embarrassing defeat against Bangladesh, setting a new low. Just two-and-a-half years ago, this team had defeated India by 10 wickets. What has happened in these two-and-a-half years that we lost to Bangladesh by 10 wickets? The blame for all of this collapse falls on one institution,” wrote Khan.
This defeat marks the first time Pakistan have suffered a 10-wicket loss in a Test match on home soil.
In a statement released via his X (formerly Twitter) account, Khan attributed the team’s declining performance to the PCB’s leadership, specifically targeting the PCB chief.
He pointed out the stark contrast between the team’s current form and their 10-wicket victory over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, questioning the management decisions that have led to this downturn.
“Cricket is the only sport the entire nation watches with great interest on TV, but even that has been destroyed by powerful quarters who brought in an unqualified, favoured official to maintain their control. For the first time, we (Pakistan) didn’t make it to the top four in the World Cup or the top eight in T20. And yesterday, we faced an embarrassing defeat against Bangladesh, setting a new low. Just two-and-a-half years ago, this team had defeated India by 10 wickets. What has happened in these two-and-a-half years that we lost to Bangladesh by 10 wickets? The blame for all of this collapse falls on one institution,” wrote Khan.
The former Prime Minister further pointed to Pakistan’s recent struggles in international tournaments, including failing to reach the semi-finals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup and exiting the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Super 12 stage.
He directly linked these failures to the PCB’s management, placing the blame squarely on the institution.
This recent loss to Bangladesh extends Pakistan’s winless streak in Test matches on home soil to nine matches. Their last victory at home was against South Africa in February 2021.
Since then, they have endured a series of disappointing results, including a 3-0 whitewash by England and a drawn series against New Zealand.