 "Mohsin Naqvi has been asked by Shahid Afridi to leave PCB or politics. Images: AFP/Reuters")
Legendary Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has asked embattled Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi to choose between the post of Pakistan’s Interior Minister and the cricket board leadership after the team suffered three defeats against India in the Asia Cup 2025. Naqvi is currently engaged in a heated battle with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after refusing to hand over the Asia Cup trophy to the winning side, India.
Naqvi took the trophy away with him to his hotel after the Indian team refused to take the silverware from him. However, Pakistan’s Interior Minister has bigger problems on his hands. Pakistan failed to win a single game against India as their performance in international cricket continues to spiral downward.
Most of the young players who have entered the side under coach Mike Hesson are yet to create an impact, raising doubts about the talent supply in the country.
Afridi blasts Naqvi’s cricket advisors
A worried Afridi has now asked Naqvi to make a big decision regarding his handling of two high-profile jobs, as he feels that divided attention is hurting Pakistan cricket.
“My request or advice to Naqvi saheb is that these are two very important posts, and they are big jobs that need time," Afridi told Telecom Asia Sport. “PCB is totally different from the Interior Ministry, so it must be kept separate.”
While acknowledging that it’s a difficult step for Naqvi, the former all-rounder added that the politician needs to make a quick decision and must stop listening to incompetent advisors.
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More Shorts“It would be a big decision and should be taken as soon as possible. Pakistan cricket needs special attention and time… Naqvi cannot rely totally on advisers,” he said.
“These advisers are taking him nowhere and he himself says that he doesn’t know much about cricket. He needs to appoint good and competent advisors who know about the game.”