"Headless Chicken": Shoaib Akhtar launches a scathing attack on Mohsin Naqvi for Asia Cup 2025 fiasco
The Asia Cup 2025 continues to make headlines days after the Men in Blue defeated their arch-rivals in the final to emerge as champions. With Suryakumar Yadav and his men completing an unbeaten run, the only remaining question is when the champions will get to hold the trophy. For Pakistan, concerns go beyond being denied handshakes by their rivals. While Mohsin Naqvi faces scrutiny from all sides for walking away with the trophy after India refused to receive the silverware from him, the Pakistan cricket fraternity has its own set of complaints. Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar slammed Naqvi for his management failures as PCB chief following the team’s 5-wicket defeat in the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 final.
Shoaib Akhtar tears into Mohsin Naqvi and PCB management after the team's defeat in the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 final
The past few days have been particularly difficult for Pakistan cricket fans and former players alike. The defeat in the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 final, their third consecutive loss to the arch-rivals in the edition, has been a bitter disappointment. Pakistan's embarrassing performance in the sub-continental tournament has left the cricketing community grappling with what went wrong. Since the high-stakes summit clash, analysts and ex-players have weighed in on Pakistan’s defeat, dissecting why the team fell short of expectations.
The latest voice to join the chorus of criticism is none other than the former speedster famously known as the ‘Rawalpindi Express’, Shoaib Akhtar. Speaking on a leading news portal in Pakistan, Akhtar did not hold back, directing his ire at the broader culture surrounding Pakistan cricket. The pacer argued that the system today favors obedient players and cautious administrators over bold personalities and match-winning talent.
"We only want well-behaved kids who would sit inside their rooms by accepting a curfew at 8 pm. The cricket board now wants timid personalities. They don’t want strong personalities. This is the reflection of the PCB policies,"Akhtar said.
The former pacer contended that what unfolded in the Asia Cup 2025 is the consequence of years of conservative governance and meek leadership. His central point was stark and clear, explaining that cautious management produces cautious cricket. He went further, openly criticizing the team’s strategy and selection decisions. For Akhtar, the remedy lies in structural reform, he called on the board to stop sidelining strong, aggressive players and to support fearless talent on merit.
“Senseless and headless chicken management. The team combinations weren’t right, the captaincy wasn’t spot-on, and they weren’t willing to listen to us,” Akhtar expressed. “Now there is Mohsin Naqvi, next time koi aur saab aa jayenge. Unless you bring in a visionary, educated man, history will remember if you start this," he added.
Throughout the interview, Akhtar’s own wariness of the administrative setup was evident. He spoke candidly, unafraid to articulate his precise thoughts, and delivered a scathing verdict on the current lead, Mohsin Naqvi. His comments were perhaps the harshest yet, underscoring both his frustration and his desire for a more assertive, high-risk approach to Pakistan cricket.
Mohsin Naqvi has landed at the centre of widespread scrutiny. The Asia Cup 2025 featured several instances of the ACC Chair displaying condemnable behavior. The culmination of the India vs Pakistan clash saw the PCB chief walk away with the Asia Cup trophy after the Men in Blue refused to receive the honour from him. It appears that while Naqvi believes his prompt actions reflect a strong stand for his country and team, the PCB chief is failing to improve the unit’s performance, one of his primary responsibilities as the current head of the board.
