ISLAMABAD, Feb 27 (NNI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected take notice of Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 as criticism mounts over the national team’s early exit from the tournament.
PM’s aide on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the matter would also be raised in the cabinet and parliament, hinting at possible scrutiny of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“The prime minister will personally take notice and we will also ask him to raise these [cricket-related] issues in the cabinet as well as in parliament,” Sanaullah said while speaking on a private television channel.
The remarks come in the wake of Pakistan’s back-to-back defeats against New Zealand and arch-rivals India, which led to their elimination from the tournament. The Green Shirts, led by Mohammad Rizwan, were defending their title in the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades.
Despite facing Bangladesh in Rawalpindi today, the match has been reduced to a dead rubber as both teams have already been knocked out.
Sanaullah strongly criticised the state of affairs in the PCB, stating that the board had been operating unchecked for years. “This is not just about one chairman’s appointment. Take a look at the last five to ten years and see what has been happening,” he said.
The PM’s aide also raised concerns about financial mismanagement and lack of accountability within the cricket board, saying that the amount spent on professional-level cricket should be made public.
“The sport at the college and district level is in a poor state, yet a staggering Rs5 million is being paid to mentors who themselves admit on television that they are unaware of their responsibilities,” he said.
“You will be surprised to hear about the perks and privileges of board officials. It would leave you confused as to whether they are working for a Pakistani institution or a developed nation,” he added.
The politician further stressed the need for structural reforms in the PCB, saying that a consistent system should be introduced to ensure the board functions smoothly. “These issues have persisted for years. People take charge [at the cricket board] through power and then do whatever they want, leading to the board’s current condition,” he remarked.
He also highlighted similar issues in other sports associations, where officials retire and later return for the privileges associated with their positions.
Pakistan’s latest failure in the Champions Trophy adds to their list of recent disappointing performances on the international stage. NNI
