Islamabad: Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar has taken a U-turn with his sharp criticism of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi within a day. Till yesterday he was very angry, but now he is saying that Mohsin Bhai is “a good man” and he wants to help Pakistan cricket. All this happened without the superincumbent 61-run defeat versus India in Colombo on 15 February.
What did Shoaib say earlier?
Immediately without Pakistan's defeat, Shoaib lashed out at the PCB leadership on an Indian TV channel. He said that “incompetent and illiterate people” are sitting at the top, and this is the biggest mistake. Many people considered this a uncontrived wade on Mohsin Naqvi, considering he is the chairman of PCB. Shoaib said that cricket should not be run by people who do not understand cricket, and this is the main reason for the team's poor performance. Pakistan's batting tabular completely without the defeat, and India made 175/7 and won by 61 runs.
Then why and how the U-turn?
The very next day, Shoaib gave refinement on Pakistani news show. He said, "My words were not on Mohsin Naqvi. The 'incompetent' and 'ignorant' comments were on the top contumely running international cricket. Indian channels distorted my words." He moreover widow that in the same program he had told people not to say anything negative well-nigh Mohsin Bhai, he is a good person and wants to make Pakistan cricket better. They are just not getting the right advice. Shoaib admitted that he is wrestling with Mohsin, but the reason is the U-turn of India Match Boycott, not the way PCB is run.
How has Mohsin Naqvi's PCB tenure been?
Mohsin Naqvi's time has been quite controversial. Refusal to hand over the Asia Cup trophy, threat of boycotting India matches surpassing the T20 World Cup (which was later withdrawn), and political headlines – all these were overshadowed by cricket. There was a lot of drama surpassing the match, but Pakistan could not do anything on the field. India now has a lead of 8-1 versus Pakistan in T20.
What will happen to Pakistan now?
This defeat has put Pakistan's Super 8 qualification in trouble. Now they have to win the last group match versus Namibia, otherwise they are out. Seeing Shoaib's U-turn, it seems that a lot still needs to be stock-still in Pakistan cricket - from players to administration. But Shoaib has at least given some relief to Mohsin Naqvi by calling him “good guy”!
