Ahmed Shehzad launches attack on PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi; blames ‘Star Culture’ for Pakistan’s decline

Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad recently launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Mohsin Naqvi. Shehzad labelled the board as the weakest he has ever seen, adding that the organization is blindly endorsing a select few star players, which is destroying the national setup.

This criticism came after Pakistan suffered another humiliating defeat against Bangladesh. Following a disastrous T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, captain Shaheen Afridi led the team to a shocking 2-1 ODI series loss against Bangladesh in an away series. They lost the final ODI after winning the second game.

They Handed Over Pakistan Cricket to Six Players and Their Agents - Ahmed Shehzad Slams PCB

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Ahmed Shehzad said that the Pakistan Cricket Board elevated specific individuals during previous Pakistan Super League editions. Shehzad added that the PCB handed them unprecedented power and lucrative sponsorships without demanding accountability.

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"The calibre of your players is not at that level, which was built up as a brand by the Pakistan Cricket Board for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 5 and 7 years ago. These 6-8 boys… they are also the face of the PSL. They are also the face of our Pakistan team. Will they change Pakistan’s destiny?" Ahmed Shehzad said.

"You provided all the sponsorships to those boys, endorsed them, and invested money in them. You gave them captaincies in the PSL, right? You made them the thumb of the Pakistan team. You handed over the entire Pakistan cricket team to those 6 boys and their agents. And what have they done now? The fire they have lit in the jungle, the fun and parties they have had, the pockets they have filled, the enjoyment they have had… they haven’t given Pakistan any wins by doing so," he added.

They Are Not Ready to Admit Responsibility - Ahmed Shehzad Slams Pakistan Players

Following four consecutive failures to reach the knockout stages of ICC events, Ahmed Shehzad stated that the players are not taking responsibility. He added that despite holding administrative power, the PCB kneels before powerful players.

"Such is the audacity (of the players) that even today, they are not ready to admit that we are responsible. Not a single one of those players. Even today, they play the blame game. Even today, their ego is such that it isn’t breaking. So weak is the Pakistan Cricket Board now," Ahmed Shehzad opined.

"Whenever you talk about any player, they start spinning stories. I have never seen the Pakistan Cricket Board this weak in my life, as weak as this PCB is. They have power, right? But in their decision-making, they appear to be kneeling before their players. This PCB can’t do anything. The work they were supposed to do — bringing in new faces — they didn’t. What they do is, after every event, they try to pull a new trick, but the public has now caught their pattern," he added.

Pakistan Suffer 1-2 Series Defeat Under Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi was appointed Pakistan’s ODI captain last year. Pakistan suffered a shocking 1-2 series defeat against Bangladesh in an away tour, raising fresh concerns about the team’s direction ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup 2027.

The selectors made bold calls by dropping Babar Azam and Saim Ayub despite their recent impressive performances in the format. Several youngsters, including Maaz Sadaqat and Abdul Samad, were handed debuts. Sadaqat made an impact with a quick 76 and three wickets in the second ODI.

Pakistan struggled badly in key moments. They were bowled out for just 114 in the first ODI and failed to chase 291 in the decider despite Salman Ali Agha’s century, losing the match by 11 runs.

Also read: Mustafizur Rahman removed from T20I squad as BCB issues partial NOCs for PSL 2026