Bhubaneswar: In a sharp outburst following Pakistan’s string of defeats in the ongoing Asia Cup, former Prime Minister Imran Khan ridiculed the country’s cricketing establishment, saying that the only way to overcome India would be if Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Army Chief General Asim Munir came out to open the batting.
The sarcastic remark came after Pakistan endured consecutive losses against arch-rivals India in Dubai, a setback that has deepened public criticism of both the team’s performance and the leadership of the cricket board.
Khan, a World Cup-winning former captain, accused Mohsin Naqvi of incompetence and nepotism, alleging that political interference had worsened the state of cricket administration in Pakistan. He further linked the issues to broader political manipulation, suggesting that the cricket board’s affairs were not being run independently but under the influence of powerful quarters.
The former premier also extended his criticism to key state institutions, dragging judiciary and election authorities into the debate. He alleged that figures such as Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, and Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar had contributed to the country’s political and sporting turmoil.
Khan’s fiery remarks have triggered widespread debate, once again highlighting the intersection of politics and sports in Pakistan. While fans remain disheartened by the Asia Cup losses, the political undertone of the criticism has added yet another layer of controversy to the nation’s cricketing narrative.
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