Mohsin Naqvi is facing criticism from all quarters. Pakistan’s cricket board chief, who is also the country’s interior minister, is facing the wrath of not just the cricketing fraternity but is also under fire from lawmakers.

In the wake of Pakistan’s home humiliation at the hands of Bangladesh — the hosts being swept 2-0 in the recently-concluded Test series — there were calls from both houses of parliament for Mr Naqvi to step aside as PCB chief.

The loss to Bangladesh was the latest setback for the Pakistan cricket team, which has looked woefully out of depth across all formats since Mr Naqvi was elected chairman in February.

The elected PCB chief, though, doesn’t come without the blessings of the government. It’s usually a two-horse race with a couple of nominees recommended by the prime minister, who is also the PCB’s patron-in-chief, being voted in by the Board of Governors.

Mr Naqvi was nominated by caretaker PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar. The PCB chairmanship has turned into a poisoned chalice. During his tenure so far, Pakistan have won just one series — a three-game Twenty20 rubber against Ireland.

There have been several changes in personnel; from the coaching staff to the selection committee — which has also seen its composition being overhauled.

Yet, the downward spiral has continued. Mr Naqvi had promised a ‘surgery’ after Pakistan’s dismal T20 World Cup campaign, but that is yet to happen. The defeat to Bangladesh is just the latest embarrassment.

In Mr Naqvi’s defence, however, the PCB had already gone through several changes at the top before his election. The team too has undergone changes at its helm with captains having been appointed and reverted.

In appointing Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie as head coaches of white- and red-ball cricket respectively, however, Mr Naqvi sought a fresh start. To embed their philosophies, both of them need time and patience to revive a struggling side — Pakistan’s limp 2023 ODI World Cup performance being a case in point.

It remains no secret though that the domestic cricket structure has been crumbling and needs to be overhauled. And so, Mohsin Naqvi should, at least for now, not be judged on the team’s performance but instead on whether he is the right man to restore Pakistan cricket to its former standing. That, only time will tell.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2024