Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Yousuf blast PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi after Pakistan’s humiliating T20 World Cup loss to India

India produced a dominant display, defeating Pakistan by 61 runs in a group-stage clash in Sri Lanka to secure qualification for the Super 8 stage.

Criticising the administration for the national team’s decline, Akhtar — who featured in several high-profile India-Pakistan encounters during his career — told ABP News: “Pakistani cricket is now in decline.”

“One person who does not understand cricket has become the PCB chairman. Nothing can be done like this. How will the team function?” he added, in a pointed remark aimed at Naqvi.

Yousuf, a key figure in Pakistan’s batting line-up during the 1990s and 2000s, echoed the sentiment in a post on X. “Unless we remove political influence and personal agendas from Pakistan cricket, we cannot return to the team we once were. This is the darkest period in our cricketing history, and my heart bleeds for it. Incompetent individuals must be removed from office and from the team,” he wrote.

Naqvi has been at the centre of multiple controversies since assuming charge as PCB chairman. Earlier, he drew criticism after removing the Asia Cup trophy from the presentation podium when India declined to receive it from his hands, triggering a diplomatic storm.

Adding to the controversy, Naqvi — who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister — was seen leaving the stadium before the conclusion of the India-Pakistan match. A video that went viral on social media showed him departing in a black car while Pakistan were losing wickets rapidly during their run chase, reflecting mounting frustration over the team’s struggles against India in ICC events.

With the defeat, Pakistan now sit third in Group A with four points, level with the United States but trailing on Net Run Rate. They must win their final group-stage match against Namibia to keep their qualification hopes alive.