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Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif is set to bring up the men’s cricket team’s poor performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy in the parliament.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (file photo/reuters) has taken notice of Pakistan’s performance at the CT. (R, AP Photo)
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to ‘take notice’ of the men’s cricket team’s dismal showing in the 2025 Champions Trophy. According to Prime Minister’s aide on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, Sharif will also take the matter to his cabinet and the country’s parliament.
Pakistan, hosting an ICC tournament for the first time since 1996, officially exited from the completion on Wednesday when their final group stage match against Bangladesh was washed out due to rain. However, their fate was confirmed hours ago when after losing to New Zealand by 60 runs and arch-rivals India by six wickets, they saw the Kiwis beat Bangladesh and seal their as well as Rohit Sharma and team’s top-four spots.
“The Prime Minister will personally take notice, and we will also ask him to raise these cricket-related issues in the cabinet as well as in the parliament,” Rana Sanaullah said, as quoted by IANS.
Team captain Mohammad Rizwan and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood blamed the performances on injuries to openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman and the team taking ‘too much pressure’ during the India clash.
However, others have shed light on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the coaching staff, the team’s seniors and the entire ecosystem cricketing of the country.
Rana Sanaullah added that he will also call on Sharif to address the issues within the PCB and outside.
“The sport at college and district levels is in a bad position, and the amount that has been spent on a professional level should be revealed before the public”, said Rana Sanaullah.
This is the first time a home side has failed to win even a single match of an ICC tournament. But many foresaw Pakistan’s struggles at the Champions Trophy, given their bad form (they lost a tri-series at home just before the tournament) and instability in the coaching and captaincy departments.
Now, since the defeats, reports have claimed that the team’s brand value will also take a hit, which can affect sponsorship deals. Meanwhile, the board is said to be lining up to sack interim head coach Aaqib Javed and other overhauls.
- Location :
Karachi, Pakistan
