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Shoaib Akhtar criticises Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi and team management after Pakistan’s T20 World Cup exit.
Mohsin Naqvi has received criticism from Shoaib Akhtar (AFP)
Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has said that although Mohsin Naqvi is one of the powerful chairmen within the Pakistan Cricket Board’s history, if he cannot construct a powerful management structure, his power and authority are of no use to the team.
Although Pakistan signed off with a victory over Sri Lanka of their final Super 8 game, they couldn’t improve their net run rate to overtake Latest Zealand in Group 2, leading to their elimination from semifinal contention.
Frustrated by Pakistan’s repeated failures to make the semi-finals in 4 straight ICC events, including league-stage exits on the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, Akhtar tore into the team management, accusing them of being ‘clueless’ relating to selection decisions and overall planning.
“Pakistan’s management looks completely clueless. Today’s team selection only confirmed that the XI picked over the past 15 days was flawed. There was one clear error, Saim Ayub must have played as an alternative of Khawaja Nafay,” Akhtar said while speaking on Tapmad.
🚨MEGA THREAD ON PAKISTANI MELTDOWN AFTER T20 WC EXITShoaib Akhtar slams team management and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi for failing to qualify to the semis.
“Management is clueless. Mohsin Naqvi has surrounded himself with mediocre people who find themselves making him look silly.”🤣 pic.twitter.com/OAg1E67P9K
— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) February 28, 2026
“This selection showed that once you pick the best players for the best roles, they perform. Fakhar Zaman is a natural opener, yet he was not played earlier. Today, Farhan, Fakhar and Abrar all delivered,” Akhtar said.
The previous Pakistan cricketer blamed Naqvi for the team’s ICC struggles, questioning whether he has the best advisors despite acknowledging his intent and authority to revive Pakistan cricket.
“I even have nothing against Mohsin Naqvi. From what I hear, he’s a great person. He’s one of the powerful chairmen in Pakistan’s cricket history. He has influence, resources and authority,” Akhtar said.
“But when he (Naqvi) can’t construct a powerful management structure and the team has didn’t qualify in 4 consecutive tournaments, then something is seriously flawed throughout the board,” Akhtar added.
March 01, 2026, 12:58 IST
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