The fallout from Pakistan’s crushing defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India in the T20 World Cup 2026 has reached a boiling point, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly livid over the team’s lackluster performance. Following a one-sided affair at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, where India secured a dominant 61-run victory, Naqvi did little to hide his frustration. Eyewitnesses and media reports confirmed that the Chairman made a high-profile early exit from the stadium, departing well before the final wicket fell as it became increasingly evident that the “Men in Green” were headed for a tame surrender. The sight of Naqvi’s vehicle leaving the premises while Pakistan’s batting order collapsed has since become a viral symbol of the governing body’s dwindling patience with the current squad’s consistency.
In the immediate aftermath of the loss, Naqvi reportedly bypassed direct celebrations or traditional post-match formalities, instead funneling his “extreme displeasure” through senior board officials to team manager Naved Akram Cheema. Sources close to the PCB indicate that Naqvi’s message was blunt and uncompromising, labeling the team’s performance as “neither understandable nor acceptable” given the extensive resources and preparation provided. The Chairman’s ire specifically targeted the lack of competitive spirit shown during the chase of India’s 175-run total, where Pakistan was bundled out for a mere 114. This latest debacle has reignited Naqvi’s previous warnings of a “major surgery” required within the cricketing ecosystem, suggesting that the era of minor adjustments and incremental changes is officially over.
The repercussions of this defeat are already being felt within the dressing room, with rumors swirling of a massive shake-up ahead of Pakistan’s must-win fixture against Namibia. Reports suggest that stalwarts and senior leaders, including Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, could be benched as the management looks to blood younger talent like Khawaja Nafay in a desperate bid to keep their World Cup campaign alive. Beyond the internal team dynamics, Naqvi himself is facing external pressure; the defeat has drawn sharp criticism from former players like Shoaib Akhtar and has reportedly caught the attention of Pakistan’s high-ranking political and military leadership. With the team now on the verge of elimination, Naqvi’s “unacceptable” ultimatum serves as a final warning: either the team delivers immediate results on the field, or the promised “surgery” will begin with the most prominent names in Pakistan cricket.
