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[Saba Sports News] Mohsin Naqvi, currently the Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan, is making headlines with reports indicating his likely appointment as the new chairperson of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). According to Geo News, the official announcement is expected after approval from the PCB Patron-in-Chief and Prime Minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.
Naqvi is set to succeed Zaka Ashraf, the former chairperson of PCB’s management committee, who recently resigned amid management disputes. Naqvi has stated his primary focus will be on addressing the managerial challenges within the cricket board. “I will try to fix the issues affecting Pakistan cricket. Reforms in cricket are the need of the hour,” Naqvi told Geo.
Pakistan’s cricket team is looking to rebound from their recent series loss to New Zealand. In a five-game T20I series, they lost the first four matches but managed a consolation win in the fifth T20I at Hagley Oval on January 21, winning by 42 runs.
The team had a rocky start in the last match, with Haseebullah Khan out for a duck. Mohammad Rizwan scored 38 runs in 38 balls, Fakhar Zaman added 33 runs, while star player Babar Azam contributed a modest 13 runs off 24 balls. Sahibzada Farhan (19) and Abbas Afridi (15) also chipped in towards the end, helping Pakistan reach 134/8.
New Zealand bowlers Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Ish Sodhi each took two wickets. However, Pakistan’s bowlers excelled in defending their total, dismissing New Zealand for just 92 runs. Despite losing the series 4-1, the Shaheen Afridi-led Pakistani team hopes for better performances in their upcoming games.