Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has defended the major changes to Pakistan’s Test squad, saying the decisions became necessary after the team’s poor performances in England.
Speaking to reporters in London, Naqvi said he was deeply disappointed by Pakistan’s results and confirmed that the PCB was reviewing issues beyond the team’s performance on the field.
He said there was no fixed rule requiring anyone given a responsibility to remain in the same position for three years. He also rejected the idea that a few defeats meant the end of Pakistan cricket.
Naqvi said selectors would give opportunities to players who could meet the team’s needs in specific situations. He added that every match remained important for Pakistan.
Naqvi Defends Squad Changes
The PCB chairman said Pakistan’s recent Test performances had fallen well below expectations.
“Things could not have gone worse” than they did in the last two Tests, he said, while stressing that several factors were behind the poor results.
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Naqvi said the board was examining those factors but would not discuss some of them publicly at this stage.
He also defended Salman Ali Agha, describing him as an excellent cricketer who had failed to perform recently. The PCB had discussed his performance with him, Naqvi said.
PCB Chairman Rejects Pressure From Critics
Naqvi said he would not make decisions simply because of criticism.
He argued that criticism followed almost every major appointment or removal and said the board had to make decisions based on what was best for Pakistan cricket.
The PCB chairman acknowledged that criticism was justified when the team lost, but said it was unfair to immediately conclude that Pakistan cricket had reached its end.
He also said he regularly sought opinions from former cricketers and was not afraid of criticism.
Test Cricket Remains a Priority
Naqvi expressed confidence that Pakistan’s Test performances would improve in the coming days.
He pointed to progress in Pakistan’s white-ball cricket as evidence that the team could recover.
According to Naqvi, Pakistan’s ODI ranking improved from eighth to fifth after the arrival of the new coaching staff. He said the team had also won four of six bilateral ODI series during that period.
In T20Is, he said Pakistan had moved from ninth to sixth place during his tenure, while the team’s winning percentage had increased from 24% to 74%.
Naqvi said the PCB remained responsible for the team’s results.
Board Admits Selection Mistakes
The PCB chairman acknowledged that mistakes had also occurred during team selection.
He said those responsible were not perfect and would be held accountable, but they should also receive an opportunity to continue their work.
Naqvi stressed that players should not face public blame after poor performances.
He called for an end to discouraging national players and congratulated the coaching staff and selection committee for Pakistan’s performances in ODIs and T20Is.
Pakistan Team Arrives in Birmingham
The Pakistan cricket team has reached Birmingham and is scheduled to train at Edgbaston Cricket Ground on Thursday.
Pakistan will face England in the third Test at Edgbaston from September 9.
The match will follow Pakistan’s disappointing results in the first two Tests of the series.
Major Changes After Lord’s Defeat
The PCB made significant changes to the Test squad following Pakistan’s defeat at Lord’s.
Seven players, including Imam-ul-Haq, were sent back home as the board reshaped the squad for the remaining match.
The PCB also removed national team head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from their positions.
Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq subsequently resigned from the selection panel following the changes.
Aqib Javed Explains Selection Decisions
PCB Director High Performance and selection committee member Aqib Javed later explained the reasoning behind the changes.
He said Pakistan had played two Tests without looking competitive, despite having another match remaining.
Aqib said the team had access to a pace-bowling all-rounder, a second wicketkeeper and fast bowler Ubaid Shah, who could bowl at around 140 kilometres per hour.
However, he said the management did not use those options.
Aqib said he had asked captain Babar Azam and the coach to consider Ubaid Shah because Pakistan’s other fast bowlers, including Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad, operated at broadly similar speeds.
He also pointed out that none of Pakistan’s top seven batters offered a bowling option.
According to Aqib, including an all-rounder could have provided greater balance to the team.
He said a fast bowler capable of regularly reaching close to 140 kilometres per hour could also change the structure of Pakistan’s bowling attack.
