Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar strongly criticised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi after the Men in Green lost their third group-stage T20 World Cup 2026 match to India.
The team suffered a 61-run defeat against arch-rivals at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, leaving fans and experts questioning leadership decisions and preparation for high-pressure matches.
Speaking to Indian media, the former fast bowler said an inexperienced person has been given a critical role in the cricket board, which he called the “biggest crime in the world” against cricket management.
“One guy who does not know anything has become the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chairman. What can you do? How will the team run?” the Rawalpindi Express added.
Shoaib Akhtar via ABP with a few bouncers at those running cricket in Pakistan and a few inswinging yorkers at the Pakistan players #T20WorldCup #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/cfj2oV8tSQ
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) February 16, 2026
Akhtar labelled Naqvi as “jaahil” and suggested that assigning important responsibilities to incompetent people directly harms the team’s chances and reflects poorly on Pakistan cricket administration.
He also targeted star batter Babar Azam, claiming that despite being made a superstar, the player cannot deliver match-winning performances or lead the team to victories in crucial international matches.
Commenting on leading fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar said the left-arm pacer, bowling at 125 kmph, does not meet the demands and standards of modern-day cricket.
Akhtar further added that these are not the talents capable of handling pressure and lamented that, for the last 15–20 years, there has been almost no investment in developing cricketing resources.
Reflecting on the decline of the national team, Akhtar said that while the team once competed fiercely with India on the field, it now struggles so much that even dreaming of victory seems impossible.
Backing Shoaib Akhtar’s statement, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif said the former pacer was right, as the Men in Green are not heading in the right direction.
