Mohsin Naqvi slams Babar Azam for 'Harming Team's Progress' — What did Pakistan's Chairman actually say?

Mohsin Naqvi's strong remarks came during a media interaction following a series of disappointing performances by Pakistan across major ICC tournaments. With the national team struggling to produce consistent results and facing growing criticism from supporters, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman addressed concerns over the team's mindset and overall direction.

"Some players play for themselves rather than for the country, and such attitudes have harmed the team's progress," Naqvi said during the press briefing. The statement reflected the PCB chief's frustration with what he believes has been a lack of collective commitment within the national setup.

Although Naqvi did not name any individual cricketer, his comments quickly sparked discussion among fans and analysts, many of whom linked the remarks to senior players, including former captain Babar Azam. However, the PCB chairman's criticism appeared to extend beyond any one player, serving as a broader warning to Pakistan's cricketers as the team looks to recover from a string of disappointing results across formats.

64 Off 90 balls vs New Zealand — The innings that put Babar Azam's spot at risk

Babar Azam has come under increasing scrutiny from former cricketers and analysts over his scoring rate in recent years. Critics have pointed to a noticeable decline in his ODI strike rate, which has dropped from the mid-80s to the mid-70s, raising concerns about his ability to keep pace with the demands of modern white-ball cricket.

The criticism intensified after Babar scored 64 off 90 balls during a challenging run chase against New Zealand. While the innings added to his tally of runs, many observers felt the knock lacked the urgency required in the situation and ultimately put additional pressure on the rest of the batting lineup. His approach has since become a frequent topic of debate among fans and experts.

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Despite these concerns, Babar remains the highest run-scorer in T20I history and one of Pakistan's most accomplished batters. However, amid the team's recent struggles, the PCB has introduced stricter performance-based policies, including revised central contracts and mandatory domestic participation for senior players. The board has also emphasised fitness and team-first performances, with Mohsin Naqvi making it clear that reputation alone will no longer guarantee a place in the national side.

From icon to liability? Fans and experts split on Naqvi's verdict on Babar Azam

Babar Azam finished Pakistan's tour of Australia as the team's highest run-scorer, making 125 runs across three innings at an average of 41. Shaheen Afridi also came out in support of the senior players after the 2-1 series win. But despite the positive result, PCB management appears determined to push through major changes across the setup regardless of recent performances.

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Online, fans and experts are sharply divided. Many supporters argue that Babar delivered when it mattered most and that Naqvi's criticism was poorly timed after a series win abroad. Critics, however, say the numbers do not tell the full story and that his slow scoring rate remains a genuine problem for Pakistan's white-ball ambitions. The debate has taken over cricket social media, with hashtags around Babar's future trending across platforms. Here is how the fans reacted:

What happens next will define Pakistan cricket's direction. Naqvi has made it clear that reputation alone will not guarantee selection, and with stricter fitness and performance policies already in place, even a player of Babar's stature is no longer untouchable. Whether this pressure pushes him to evolve or signals the beginning of the end of his international career remains to be seen.