Politics in Pakistan cricket has once again come under scrutiny as the national team’s alarming decline in international performance reignites heated discussions. Critics argue that nepotism and political interference are undermining the team’s success on the field. Recently, Pakistan fell to its lowest Test ranking in nearly six decades, sliding to eighth place after a shocking 2-0 home series loss to Bangladesh. This defeat marks the 10th consecutive home Test without a win and follows dismal early exits from both the 50-over and T20 World Cups in the last year.
Currently, Mohsin Naqvi serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) while simultaneously holding the position of interior minister, a role that comes amidst a surge in militant attacks in the country. Over the past two years, Pakistan cricket has experienced significant upheaval, cycling through four coaches, three board heads, three captains, and various domestic competition formats. Experts believe that this instability stems from the unpredictable nature of political involvement in cricket.
Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, a cricket journalist and former PCB media manager, stated, “This has a knock-on effect on team performance. Chaos and chronic instability within the board management will inevitably reflect on-field performances.”
Cricket holds a unique place in Pakistan as the most popular sport, with players revered as national heroes, and streets often emptied during major matches. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who launched his political career following his 1992 ODI World Cup victory, recently voiced his grievances from jail, citing political machinations that are negatively affecting cricket. He criticized the appointment of individuals without adequate qualifications, claiming, “Favourites have been imposed to run a technical sport like cricket. What are Mohsin Naqvi’s qualifications?” He accused Mohsin Naqvi of “annihilating” the team, stating, “Nations are destroyed when corrupt and incompetent people are placed into positions of power in state institutions.”
Veteran journalist Najam Sethi remarked that the PCB role has become a “sinecure” for those without a genuine understanding of cricket. “Generals, judges, and bureaucrats, just for a love of the game — but no knowledge of the game — have been appointed,” Najam Sethi noted. Furthermore, while cricketers with insight into the sport are selected, many lack the necessary managerial experience.
Pakistan’s last major cricket achievement was the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, and the team has not won a Test match at home since February 2021. Although they reached the T20 World Cup final in 2022, their performance in the 2024 event was disappointing, with early exits following unexpected losses to the United States and Ireland. The defeat to Bangladesh has intensified scrutiny of Mohsin Naqvi’s leadership and the political system that appointed him, with growing calls for his resignation.
The Express Tribune commented, “Since 1998, hand-picked favourites of the respective ruling regimes in the country have taken turns as PCB chairmen to run the game in their own clueless manner, only to ruin it.” The publication criticized these leaders for focusing on personal agendas rather than prioritizing the nation’s cricket.
Also Read: PCB Plan to Enhance Domestic Cricket
The incongruity of Mohsin Naqvi’s dual roles was underscored when he recently held a press conference addressing both a significant militant attack and the state of cricket. Rana Sanaullah Khan, an aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, hinted that support for the PCB chief may be diminishing at higher levels.
