PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the interior minister, faced intense scrutiny in parliament following Pakistan’s disappointing loss to Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in Rawalpindi. Lawmakers demanded his resignation, questioning the rationale behind his appointment as the head of the cricket board. They argued that his leadership had led to the ‘annihilation’ of Pakistan’s cricket performance, prompting chants of shame in the Senate and calls for a competent replacement.
PTI leader Barrister Syed Ali Zafar expressed that the defeat was symptomatic of broader issues in Pakistani sports, attributing the poor performance to Naqvi’s ineptitude. “Appointing an incompetent person destroys the institution and its achievements,” he stated.
The demand for Naqvi’s resignation was echoed across both houses of parliament, with calls for a more capable leader for the PCB.
Amidst the backlash, Senator Manzoor Ahmad highlighted the mismatch between the players’ high salaries and underperformance. He supported the call for the resignation of the PCB chairman and the board of governors.
Senator Khalil Tahir reminded his colleagues that Naqvi, also a senator, was absent and unable to defend himself.
Criticism extended to the National Assembly, where Naqvi’s dual role as interior minister and PCB chief was scrutinized.
PTI’s Sibghatullah accused him of corruption within the sports and immigration sectors, particularly highlighting delays and alleged bribes in passport issuance affecting overseas Pakistanis.
In his absence, PTI MNA regretted Naqvi’s disregard for parliamentary proceedings and governance, suggesting a lack of governmental control over his actions.
