T20 World Cup 2026: Shoaib Akhtar Blasts Mohsin Naqvi After Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Exit

Even though Mohsin Naqvi is one of the most influential chairmen in the history of the Pakistan Cricket Board, former player Shoaib Akhtar has stated that the team will not benefit from his strength and authority if he is unable to establish a solid management structure. Despite winning their final Super 8 match against Sri Lanka, Pakistan was eliminated from semifinal contention since they were unable to increase their net run rate to surpass New Zealand in Group 2.

Pakistan has now missed out on the semifinals of four consecutive major events, including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and the current T20 World Cup 2026, Akhtar said, expressing frustration over the team's repeated failures in ICC tournaments. The former pacer questioned Naqvi's leadership and administrative setup, claiming that although the PCB chairman has a lot of authority, the board hasn't created a solid and reliable management structure.

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Failure:

While speaking with Tapmad, Shoaib Akhtar said, “Pakistan’s management looks completely clueless. Today’s team selection only confirmed that the XI picked over the last 15 days was wrong. There was one clear error: Saim Ayub should have played instead of Khawaja Nafay. This selection showed that when you pick the right players for the right roles, they perform. Fakhar Zaman is a natural opener, yet he was not played earlier. Today, Farhan, Fakhar, and Abrar all delivered."

The former cricket player did not hold back when he said that Pakistan's consistent inability to make it to the business end of important competitions shows that there is a severe problem with the board's general management structure and system.

He concluded, saying, "I have nothing against Mohsin Naqvi. From what I hear, he is a good person. He is one of the most powerful chairmen in Pakistan's cricket history. He has influence, resources, and authority. But if he (Naqvi) can't build a strong management structure and the team has failed to qualify in four consecutive tournaments, then something is seriously wrong within the board."

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