Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan (Left) and Pakistan cricket gamers. — Reuters/File
Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Tuesday expressed displeasure over the Pakistan cricket workforce’s efficiency within the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
“Imran says cricket will be eventually destroyed when favourites are put in decision-making positions,” mentioned Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder, whereas chatting with journalists outdoors Adiala jail.
The remarks come in opposition to the backdrop of Inexperienced Shirt’s early exit from the mega-event — the primary Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) occasion hosted by the nation in 29 years.
The defending champions misplaced the opening match in opposition to New Zealand, who beat them twice within the just lately held tri-nation ODI collection which additionally featured South Africa.
Regardless of followers’ expectations for the house workforce to carry out nicely, the Mohammad Rizwan-led aspect did not put up a notable efficiency and subsequently misplaced in opposition to arch-rivals India on February 23 in Dubai.
With back-to-back losses, the Males in Inexperienced’s development within the Champions Trophy relied on the outcomes of different groups’ matches.
Nevertheless, this door was successfully closed after New Zealand beat Bangladesh on Monday ensuing within the hosts, additionally the defending champions, being eradicated from the match. The workforce will now face Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on February 27.
This is not the primary mega-tournament that Pakistan have carried out poorly at. The nationwide aspect, in 2023, solely managed to win 4 out of their 9 matches and completed in fifth place on the factors desk with eight factors within the ODI World Cup 2023.
The Inexperienced Shirts then additionally crashed out of the T20 World Cup 2024 which noticed them shedding to India in addition to america.
Talking to journalists right now, Aleema mentioned Imran watched the Pakistan’s match in opposition to the arch-rivals and vented his anger on cricket’s destruction within the nation.
“PTI founder expressed great sadness over losing the match against India,” he mentioned, including that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi ought to be requested what his cricket expertise is.
Individually, PTI Secretary-Normal Salman Akram Raja additionally echoed Imran’s disappointment with the Pakistan workforce’s efficiency, saying that the social gathering founder is “very sad” in regards to the situation of nationwide cricket.
“The people of Pakistan have a strong connection with cricket,” he mentioned, including that this sport has been made a joke in the previous few years.
Earlier within the day, Opposition Chief within the Nationwide Meeting Omar Ayub known as for Naqvi to be held accountable and demanded his elimination because the PCB head over “repeated failures”.
