T20 World Cup 2024: PCB chief asks nation to support team after ‘major surgery’ remarks

ISLAMABAD: Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has toned down his no-nonsense "major surgery" stance regarding the team's recent disappointing performances, asking the nation to back the players.

In conversation with Geo News outside the Parliament House on Wednesday, the PCB chief said that the nation should "wait for the tournament's final result" as the Green Shirts are scheduled to play one more match in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

"The consultation is ongoing and it is not appropriate to discuss [the matter] further at this juncture," Naqvi said, while responding to a question about measures being discussed after the team’s poor performance.

The team has lost two matches out of three and faces an early exit from the tournament. Pakistan’s progress into the Super 8 stage now depends on the outcome of other matches.

Mohsin Naqvi reiterated that the team currently needs support, insisting that "we have to move ahead" in the tournament with the existing team.

The board's chairman said everyone is praying for the team to move ahead.

Earlier this week, Naqvi had expressed disappointment in the Pakistan team after their loss against India.

He maintained that the team's poor performance indicated that it required a "major surgery".

"It seemed that a minor surgery would work but after this bad performance, I’m now sure that a major surgery is required. The nation will soon see a major overhaul," said Naqvi.

Naqvi added that the “defeat against India was disappointing in every sense”.

The PCB chairman said that he “knows what is going on in the team and what are the reasons for losing”.