Mumbai: The sting of defeat in the Asia Cup 2025 final against India has ignited a firestorm back home, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi facing unprecedented backlash and calls for his ouster.
As the nation reels from three straight losses to their arch-rivals — including the heart-wrenching five-wicket thriller on September 28 where Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 steered India to their ninth title — Naqvi’s leadership is under the microscope, amplified by a bizarre trophy controversy that saw him walk away with the silverware after India’s refusal to accept it from his hands.
Naqvi, who doubles as ACC president and a key government minister, has been dogged by controversies throughout the tournament, from his off-the-cuff remarks to perceived missteps in team management. Furious fans and players, including captain Salman Agha, have vented their ire online, but the real heat is coming from political quarters. Jailed former Prime Minister and cricket legend Imran Khan drew a scathing parallel, likening Naqvi’s tenure to that of Army Chief General Asim Munir. “What General Asim Munir has done to Pakistan, Mohsin Naqvi is doing to Pakistani cricket,” Khan blasted in a PTI report, referencing Munir’s era marred by military humiliations like the India-Pakistan skirmishes.
PTI leaders have responded with fury, accusing Naqvi of single-handedly ruining the sport. Party stalwart Munis Elahi took to social media, challenging “elected” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — Naqvi’s appointer and PCB patron — to act decisively. “Take action against Mohsin Naqvi, who’s destroying Pakistan cricket,” Elahi thundered, demanding immediate removal.
With Pakistan’s team in freefall across formats, whispers of Naqvi’s impending exit grow louder. Will Sharif’s government bow to the mounting pressure, or can the embattled chief salvage his position?
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