Argus News - Mohsin Naqvi’s Days Numbered! PCB Chief under Pakistan Army Fire after India Defeat

New Delhi, Feb 17: The humiliating defeat against India at the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup has forced Pakistan to think of strong action against Mohsin Naqvi.

According to a report, Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is upset over the state of affairs of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), conveying his displeasure to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan faced a humiliating 61-run loss against India on February 15. Munir was critical about the way in which Naqvi was running the country’s cricket body. Naqvi, who is the chairman of the PCB, is also the President of Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

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Speaking to Sharif, Munir complained that the PCB chairman had invoked the army during one of his interactions with the media, adding: “He is all talk and no show.”

Munir was ticked off after Naqvi’s statement, where the PCB chief had said that “Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir never gets scared.”

According to the Pakistani Army chief, Naqvi, despite invoking the army and portraying a very strong image of the institution,  could not live up to the hype.

Officials as well as the people have been complaining about the way in which the team has been playing, particularly criticising Naqvi for his way of running the board.

It’s worth mentioning, Naqvi was at the centre of the storm during the Asia Cup 2025 final, where Team India refused to receive the winners’ trophy from the PCB chief. Naqvi left the ground with the trophy and hasn’t returned it yet. This act was slammed by experts and fans alike.

Many argued that Naqvi should have just left the trophy behind, instead he ended up making a joke of himself. “Overlooking this incident, Naqvi was given time. But this time the matter is serious,” said one of the officials. “It has got the attention of the army chief, and hence action could be expected,” added another.

The officials revealed that Munir and many within the army feel that Naqvi should be handed down a severe reprimand by the government or should be removed.

Naqvi, who is an open India hater, has made references to the Pakistan Army on several occasions. His remarks have not gone down too well with the army.

“The army officials felt that before Naqvi made such comments, he ought to have sought clearance,” said one of the officials. “The army has kept away from cricket and other sports,” he added.

“According to them, Naqvi should have just stuck to cricket and the administration of the board, and not invoked the army and its chief,” added another official.

Pakistan’s defeat to India was seen as an embarrassment by the army, especially amid tense relations. Munir told the PM Sharif that PCB chief Naqvi was failing — mismanaging the board and overseeing a team that barely put up a fight in matches. Naqvi’s habit of dragging the army into cricket matters has further angered the establishment.

“Munir is bound to be upset. His army is still reeling from Operation Sindoor. That operation carried out by the Indian Armed Forces to avenge the Pahalgam attack left the Pakistan Army red-faced,” stated an official.

“This time, the establishment is likely to act and replace Munir,” the official said. “Now that it has been taken up by none other than the army chief himself, Naqvi’s days at the board are numbered,” the official signed off.

(IANS)