‘Not finished’: Naqvi defends Pakistan cricket amid backlash over England Test shake-up

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Friday pushed back against criticism of Pakistan cricket, citing improvements in the national team’s ODI ranking and success rate while acknowledging that defeats warrant scrutiny.

“We were ranked eighth in ODIs, and are now fifth. Out of six ODI series, we have won four. But still, our cricket is ‘finished’,” Naqvi said.

“Our success rate has gone up from 24 percent to 73 percent and I am not talking about a specific match. But still, there is criticism that our cricket is finished.”

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He said the figures were verifiable and urged an end to criticism that could demotivate players.

“These are facts that can be checked and verified. But the way everyone is demotivating the players, this should be stopped,” the PCB chairman said.

Naqvi added that criticism was justified when Pakistan lost, but objected to portraying individual defeats as evidence that the country’s cricket was finished.

“When we lose a game, everyone has the right to criticise and discuss the reasons for the loss. But people portray it as Pakistan cricket being finished,” he said.

He also expressed confidence in the team’s plans to challenge stronger sides.

“We are working on our strategy on how to beat the top teams in the world and I am confident that we will be able to do it,” Naqvi said.

Former players question PCB decisions

His comments come amid strong criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board over a mid-series shake-up during the national team’s Test tour of England. Seven players and two coaches from the initial squad were replaced after heavy defeats at Headingley and Lord’s.

The decision drew criticism from fans, pundits and former players.

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali said that such difficult decisions could create “insecurity among the players” and should be made within stable frameworks.

Former captain Shahid Afridi also criticised the overhaul, describing it as lacking logic, particularly the decision to bring T20 players into the Test setup in England.

Afridi also questioned the removal of the head coach after only five Tests, calling it the “most shocking” decision by a selection committee that includes several experienced selectors.

Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle questioned the timing of the changes, pointing to the sequence of decisions involving Salman Ali Agha.

The all-rounder captained Pakistan in the first Test, was dropped for the second and then sent home before the third.

Bhogle also noted that the head coach, bowling coach and senior wicketkeeper had departed during the series, raising questions over whether incoming players would have enough time to secure visas and become match-ready.

Former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur described the overhaul as “absolutely ridiculous”, arguing that repeated changes to players, coaches and selectors had contributed to instability around Pakistan cricket.

Former chief selector Muhammad Wasim similarly blamed inconsistent decision-making for the team’s decline, saying the sport had suffered after serious decisions became a part-time exercise and the system descended into what he called a “circus”.

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen also expressed disbelief at the scale of the changes, while former Pakistan cricketer and commentator Bazid Khan said making such sweeping alterations in the middle of a series was extreme even by Pakistan cricket’s standards.

Journalist Osman Samiuddin also condemned the decisions, describing the overhaul as disgraceful for the team.