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Pakistan’s T20 World Cup loss to India has reportedly triggered tensions at the top, with Army Chief Asim Munir said to be displeased after PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi invoked his name before the match, turning a cricket defeat into a civil-military flashpoint.
Asim Munir upse with Mohsin Naqvi
Colombo: Pakistan’s loss to India in the T20 World Cup on February 15 has reportedly sparked tensions within the country’s power structure, with the fallout extending beyond the cricket field. What began as a high-profile sporting defeat has now turned into a sensitive civil-military issue involving Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Sources suggest that the controversy stems not only from Pakistan’s batting collapse against India but also from remarks made by Naqvi ahead of the match during a Pakistan Super League press conference.
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During the pre-match interaction, Naqvi reportedly struck a defiant tone when asked about alleged ICC “threats” and Pakistan’s stance on playing India. In his response, he invoked Munir directly, stating that neither he nor the Government of Pakistan was intimidated and adding that “Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir never gets afraid.”
The reference, made without prior clearance from military authorities, is said to have caused unease in Rawalpindi. In Pakistan’s political landscape where the military holds significant influence publicly linking the army chief’s name to a cricketing matter is being viewed by insiders as an overstep.
For many within Pakistan’s establishment, cricket matches against India carry deep symbolic weight tied to national prestige and geopolitical rivalry. The defeat, described by insiders as a humiliating collapse under pressure, reportedly intensified dissatisfaction.
According to sources, Munir conveyed his concerns to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif through official channels, highlighting what he viewed as mismanagement within the PCB. Concerns allegedly included team preparation as well as public rhetoric that may have unnecessarily escalated tensions.
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Speculation is now rife in Islamabad about Naqvi’s future at the helm of the PCB. While no official statement has been issued, some government insiders suggest that leadership changes could be considered to ease tensions.
Adding to the pressure, former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar publicly criticised Naqvi, calling him “incompetent” during a televised post-match discussion.
As of now, there has been no formal confirmation of discord. However, the episode underscores how cricket in Pakistan often intersects with politics and power, especially when it comes to matches against India.
