Following the national team’s third consecutive Asia Cup loss to India, Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), was the target of a flurry of social media mockery and condemnation, with calls for his immediate dismissal mounting.
The Indian players declined to take the winner’s trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as the head of the Asian Cricket Council, after Pakistan crashed to a five-wicket defeat in the final on Sunday.
“This ‘selected’ Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, if he has any guts, should take notice against Mohsin Naqvi, who has destroyed Pakistan cricket in such a short time,” senior Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Moonis Elahi wrote on X.
“This shameless man feels no remorse, but those who installed him should reflect. He must be removed immediately.”
In addition, former Sindh governor Mohammad Zubair blasted Naqvi for allegedly benching Pakistan’s top players, which resulted in the team losing three straight games to bitter rivals India.
“Pakistan’s best batsman Babar Azam was dropped by this man. He also dropped Pakistan’s best wicketkeeper batsman Rizwan, selecting instead players like Salman Agha and Harris. He destroyed our batting,” he claimed.
Imran Khan, the imprisoned former prime minister, made a political analogy by stating: “What Mohsin Naqvi is doing to cricket is exactly what Army Chief Gen Asim Munir is doing to Pakistan. Others accused Naqvi of victimising genuine talent.”
“He held a grudge against Amir Jamal for his #804 gesture (Imran Khan’s jail cell number) and sidelined him permanently. What a pity,” wrote activist Sana.
Regardless of whether the Indian captain declined to shake hands or accept the trophy from Naqvi, journalist Umar Draz Gondal stated that “the only answer is to defeat India in the stadium and shut their mouths.”
He further alleged: “Cricket in Pakistan has already declined, just like hockey. Why? Because Naqvi was appointed through a slip from the ‘ big boss’ and became chairman only because he is their blue-eyed. No one can hold him accountable.”
