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Muhammad Naeem Khan Niazi
LAHORE, Dec 31 (APP): Pakistan Cricket achieved new highs on the domestic and international fronts in the year 2025 under the charismatic leadership of Mohsin Naqvi.
Mohsin Naqvi’s era is historic in the sense as ICC Champions Trophy was hosted by the cricket- crazy nation while nurturing of youth cricket helped Pakistan Shaheens and U 19 teams discover new talent in Maaz Sadaqat and Sameer Minhas.
On the structural front, Mohsin Naqvi upgarded the major cricket stadia in the country to bring them rub shoulders with the best cricket facilities in the world.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under Mohsin Naqvi, breathed a new life into the dead skeleton the school cricket while remunerations for the cricketers were revised and enhanced.
For the preparations of the Champions Trophy 2025, extensive upgradation was carried out at the National Stadium Karachi, Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium.
During this period new pitches were prepared, dressing rooms were beautified, flood lights were improved. Modern digital score screens and seating and facilities for spectators were brought up to international standards.
In terms of security and logistics, the stadiums were also equipped with modern technology, including advanced CCTV systems, control rooms and media enclosures, so that international broadcasting standards could be met.
With the improvement and upgradation of stadiums, Pakistan successfully hosted international events including the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as well as the Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier and provided international-standard security. Due to the successful of international events, Pakistan’s image not only improved further, but the interest of foreign players and teams in playing on Pakistani soil also increased. According to the PCB spokesperson, the purpose of stadium upgradation is not limited to just one event, but to ensure the hosting of more global tournaments, ICC events and foreign teams in the future.
Former cricketers and cricket experts said that the investment made in stadium infrastructure during the tenure of the current PCB management paved the way for the expansion of the Pakistan Super League and improvement in cricket.
In the year 2025, the Pakistan Super League had the valuation of franchise assets conducted by a foreign company, which increased the commercial value of the league.
By providing opportunities to young players, the PCB brought improvement in cricket and the Pakistan Under-19 team defeated traditional rivals India in the final of the Asia Cup to win the title. The PCB spokesperson said that the PCB is taking all kinds of steps to further improve domestic cricket. Under the leadership of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan cricket will reach further heights.
In the year 2025, Pakistan hosted the Champions Trophy with excellent arrangements after twenty-nine years, but the national team could not defend the title. The Pakistan team also failed to win the tri-nation series. It lost the series against New Zealand by three-nil. West Indies defeated Pakistan two-one, while Pakistan won series against South Africa two-one and against Sri Lanka three-nil. The national team remained fourth in the world rankings.
In T20 cricket, the Green Shirts performed better. They won the tri-nation series twice. They defeated West Indies and South Africa by two-one. They also played the final of the Asia Cup but lost three matches to India. New Zealand achieved victory by four matches to one.
In the year 2025, the command of the national team was also changed. Mohammad Rizwan was removed first from T20 and then from ODI captaincy. Salman Ali Agha was appointed Pakistan captain till the T20 World Cup 2026, while Shaheen Afridi was given the leadership of the ODI team.
Mike Hesson was appointed head coach of the national white-ball team. The reins of the Test team were temporarily handed over to Azhar Mahmood, which was limited only till the South Africa Test series. Changes were also made in the selection committee. Hassan Cheema was removed and Usman Hashmi was included.
When the atmosphere of Pak-India war heated up, tension also increased between the cricket boards. Initially the Indian team, which had refused to play Pakistan, faced Pakistan in the Asia Cup. During the tournament the Indian team violated the spirit of cricket. They did not shake hands with the national team. In the final they also refused to take the trophy from the President of the Asian Cricket Council, Mohsin Naqvi. Mohsin Naqvi adopted the best strategy and had the trophy placed in the ACC office.
Pakistan won the Emerging Asia Cup and the Hong Kong Super Sixes titles. The targets could not be achieved in the Champions Trophy and the Women’s World Cup.
Mohsin Naqvi’s era will be regarded as the best in Pakistan cricket’s administrative history.