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'We have to go for major surgery': PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi after Pakistan's loss to India in T20 World Cup

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has called for signi... Read More
NEW DELHI: Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has called for significant changes within the team following Pakistan's narrow six-run defeat to arch-rivals India in the ICC T20 World Cup.

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Naqvi's comments came after the Babar Azam-led side failed to chase down a modest target of 120 runs, falling short at 113 for 7 after consuming 59 dot balls.

T20 World Cup Schedule | Points Table

"I thought the team required minor surgery to start winning matches but now it appears that we have to go for major surgery," Naqvi told the media in New York.

Naqvi expressed deep disappointment over the team's performance, highlighting not only the recent loss to India but also an earlier defeat to the USA. He indicated that the time has come to consider players who have been sidelined for some time.


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"It is very disappointing the way we lost to the USA and now this loss to India. We need to now start looking at players beyond those in the team right now," he added.

Since taking over as PCB chairman in January and later becoming the interior minister, Naqvi has emphasized the board's efforts to support the players. Despite these efforts, he acknowledged the team's underperformance and the need for a thorough review.



"Why the team is not performing is something everyone is asking. The World Cup is still on. But obviously we will sit down and take a look at everything," Naqvi stated.

Pakistan's hopes of advancing to the Super Eight stage now hinge on winning convincingly against Canada and Ireland, while also relying on the USA to lose to India and Ireland. Even if these conditions are met, the final standings could come down to net run rate.

The PCB chairman's remarks underline the urgency of the situation as Pakistan faces a critical juncture in the tournament. The team's management and selection strategies are expected to undergo scrutiny in the coming days, with potential changes aimed at revitalizing the squad and improving performance.

T20 World Cup: Bumrah delivers as India beat Pakistan in low-scoring thriller
Jasprit Bumrah was the hero as India beat Pakistan by six runs in a low-scoring T20 World Cup thriller in New York on Sunday.
India were bowled out by Pakistan for 119 in 19 overs. Defending the small total, Bumrah delivered crucial wickets and his 3-14 in four overs proved decisive as Pakistan fell just short ending on 113-7.
Despite a tricky batting surface that made batting difficult, a crowd of 34,028, a record attendance for an international cricket match in the USA, were given a tight contest that ebbed and flowed.
Naseem Shah made a valiant effort, hitting the fourth and fifth balls of the last over for fours but India avoided any late drama to secure their second win of the tournament.
Bumrah picked up the vital wicket of Pakistan captain Babar Azam (13) and Mohammad Rizwan (31). Then, in the penultimate over, Bumrah conceded just three runs and removed Iftikhar Ahmed with his final ball.
That left Pakistan needing 18 from the final over, a steep task on a difficult batting surface and it got more tricky when Arshdeep Singh dismissed Imad Wasim with the first ball.
For Pakistan, their loss, coming after the shock defeat to the USA, leaves them without a point and with a lot of work to do against Canada and Ireland if they are to fight their way into the Super Eight stage.
Rain delayed the start of the game, played in front of a packed 34,000 fans, the majority of whom were backing tournament favourites India.


(With inputs from PTI)
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