Shahid Afridi Urges PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to Resign After Asia Cup Chaos

Pakistan cricket legend Shahid Afridi has called on Mohsin Naqvi to step down as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, criticizing his dual role as PCB chief and Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Afridi argued that overseeing cricket during a period of crisis requires full-time attention, and juggling high-profile government and sports responsibilities is unrealistic.

Afridi, who previously advised Naqvi to treat the PCB role as a full-time commitment after the Champions Trophy, doubled down following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the Asia Cup. He claimed Naqvi lacks cricketing knowledge and has relied on ineffective advisers, saying, “PCB is totally different from the Interior Ministry… Pakistan cricket needs special attention and time. Naqvi cannot rely totally on advisers.”

The criticism comes amid controversy surrounding Pakistan’s handling of matches in the Asia Cup, particularly against India. Naqvi faced backlash for threatening to boycott the India match, sharing provocative social media posts, and later refusing to present the trophy after India defeated Pakistan in the final. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had to intervene, with officials removing the trophy from the podium, while Naqvi reportedly insisted the Indian captain collect it in Dubai.

On-field performance also disappointed, as Pakistan struggled against India, losing all three encounters, including the final. Afridi emphasized the need for competent leadership, stating that Naqvi should appoint advisers who truly understand the game.

With growing dissent within Pakistan cricket and criticism from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Naqvi’s future as PCB chairman and ACC president remains uncertain. The Asia Cup debacle has intensified calls for a dedicated, cricket-focused administration to restore the sport’s credibility in Pakistan.