Former Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie has criticised PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for missing a key team-building camp. At the same time, Pakistan’s bowlers have made significant gains in the ICC T20I rankings as of June 12, 2025. The dual narrative highlights internal PCB challenges and on-field progress.
On the Howie Games podcast, Gillespie expressed frustration over Naqvi’s absence from the “Connection Camp” held on September 23, 2024. The camp initiated by white-ball coach Gary Kirsten aimed to foster unity among Pakistan’s cricket stakeholders. Gillespie, who flew from Australia, and Kirsten, from South Africa, attended, but Naqvi joined via Zoom from Lahore, just 20 minutes away. “It was a bit unusual,” Gillespie remarked, noting the lack of engagement from the PCB’s top official.
The camp, attended by senior players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, was praised by PCB COO Salman Naseer as a vital step for team cohesion ahead of a busy 2024-25 season.
The Connection Camp brought together eight key players, including Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, and Shan Masood, to share experiences and align on a unified vision. Designed to improve communication and performance, the initiative was timely, given Pakistan’s packed T20I schedule. Gillespie’s resignation before the South Africa Test series in late 2024 suggests underlying tensions, with his comments reflecting broader concerns about PCB leadership’s commitment.
Pakistan’s bowlers have climbed the ICC T20I rankings, showcasing their prowess. Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi share joint 18th place with 605 points, while Shaheen Afridi rises to 28th with 592 points. Spinners Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed rank 46th with 500 points each. However, Naseem Shah and Sufiyan Muqeem dropped to 92nd and 95th, respectively. New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy leads, followed by England’s Adil Rashid.
In batting, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan maintain 12th and 13th positions, with Mohammad Haris steady at 30th. Haseebullah Khan slipped to 46th, and Saim Ayub fell to 62nd. Fakhar Zaman and Salman Agha also dropped to 46th and 76th, respectively. Australia’s Travis Head tops the batting charts, followed by India’s Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma.
Gillespie’s critique has sparked debate questioning PCB’s priorities, while others praise the bowlers’ progress. The rankings reflect Pakistan’s talent, but internal challenges, as highlighted by Gillespie, could hinder team unity. With the upcoming T20I series against Australia and South Africa, resolving leadership issues is crucial for sustained success.
