Head of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Mohsen Naqvi said he would not quit as he faced the heat after Pakistan’s humiliating defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test of the ongoing two-match series.
It was Pakistan’s first defeat against Bangladesh in the longest format of the game. Until the defeat, Pakistan had won 12 of their 13 Tests against the Bangla Tigers, with one match ending in a draw.
However, past form and reputation were discarded as Bangladesh stunned their hosts to record a historic victory.
The hosts did well in the first innings as they declared their innings at 448/6. In reply, Bangladesh finished their innings with 565 runs to take a lead of 117 runs.
With Bangladesh’s innings ending late on the fourth day, it looked like the match would end in a draw. However, Pakistan suffered an inexplicable collapse on the final day to concede the game.
Starting the day at 1 for 23, Pakistan were all out for 146 runs. Set a target of just 30 runs, Bangladesh chased it down in 6.3 overs without losing a wicket. The final result put more pressure on the Pakistan team as well as the PCB.
Mohsin Naqvi himself is under pressure after the defeat to Bangladesh. However, the PCB supremo has made it clear that he will not resign from his post and will continue to work hard to improve the situation. He admitted that even if people want him to resign, he will not leave.
“People want me to resign. I will not resign at the request of anyone. I will leave after bringing improvement in Pakistan Cricket,” said Mohsin Naqvi.
“People want me to resign. I will not resign at anyone’s request. I will leave after bringing improvement in Pakistan Cricket.” – PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi! #PAKvBAN
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) August 26, 2024
I don’t have a magic wand: Mohsen Naqvi
Speaking later, Mohsin Naqvi said that the situation cannot be changed overnight as he highlighted Pakistan’s struggle in Tests at home. Pakistan have not won a Test series at home since 2021, a 2-0 victory over South Africa. In 2022, he lost the home series against Australia and England.
“I don’t have a magic wand to start producing results. Our Test performance at home has been the same for 3 years. When was the last Test we won?” Mohsun Naqvi said.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi “I don’t have a magic wand to start giving results. Our Test performance at home has been the same for 3 years. When did we win the last Test?” 🇵🇰ðŸ˜ðŸ˜#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/ZX3kNG4sQr
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) August 26, 2024
Well, it wouldn’t be entirely wrong to say that Naqvi is also running out of time to improve the situation.
Not much has changed since he took charge of the PCB in February this year. After his appointment, Pakistan drew the T20I series against the second-ranked New Zealand team.
Later in May, they won the T20I series in Ireland but lost a game against them. A series defeat in England followed before suffering a humiliating exit from the T20 World Cup.
