Najam Sethi shrugs off Harare humiliation

E-Paper | July 04, 2026

KARACHI, Sept 16: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) caretaker chairman Najam Sethi has defended Pakistan’s humiliating defeat against Zimbabwe, saying it is part and parcel of the game.

“There is nothing to worry about as it is part of the game,” said the caretaker chairman while commenting on a private television channel on Saturday night.

Unnecessary hue and cry is being created by former cricketers who wanted jobs in the PCB, stated Sethi. “I will not give them jobs in the board,” he maintained.

Misbah-ul-Haq’s team suffered their first loss to Zimbabwe in 15 years when they went down by 24 runs in the second and final Test at Harare.

Expressing confidence in Misbah and Co, he said the national team will live up to expectations by winning their upcoming series, adding that Pakistan have recently achieved some fine victories during the West Indies tour where Shahid Afridi, Misbah and others performed well.

Sethi also praised captain Misbah, saying that he was keeping the team together besides doing well with the bat.

He further said that senior batsman Younis Khan was severely criticised but he performed exceptionally well.

It is instructive to note that selectors overlooked emerging batsmen Umar Amin, Harris Sohail and Sohaib Maqsood for the Test side in the face of their consistent performances in domestic circuit and criticism of Misbah and calls for his replacement as a captain by former captain Ramiz Raja and ex-Test paceman Sikander Bakht.

“Former Test cricketers have been advocating giving exposure to youngsters but what have they done?” Sethi questioned.

Sethi said that he wanted a do a lot of things in the PCB but the honourable court stopped him from doing so, adding that he wanted to form a new selection committee and to bring in a new chief selector.

“But I was stopped by the court from doing so,” he remarked.

Former cricketers in their statements have demanded clean-up operation and overhaul in the PCB besides strengthening cricket structure and launching of strong cricket committee comprising selfless cricketers.—APP

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Jamshed Khan

Sep 16, 2013 09:21pm

Sethi Sahib, it is easy to criticize others. Now that you have a small responsibility, look at your performance. 'It is a part of the game', eh!

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Masoud

Sep 16, 2013 09:27pm

Sethi sahib, very true mis-management & loosing is the only part and parcel of PCB & the great looser, Sethi sahib sherm be koi cheez hoti hai.

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optimist

Sep 16, 2013 09:55pm

In life you get one break and one chance to correct yourslf from a mistake. A person can have one DUI [driving under the influence of alcohal] ignored in USA but two DUI counts is a disaster and takes a lifetime to overcome the greif and the after effect. How many lifelines Najm sethi and Moin Khan are willing to give to Hafeez and Whatmore, it took a shameful defeat on Championship trophy to get rid of Imran Farhat. A player is suited for one kind of format, if he is exceptional like Saeed Ajmal he could be tried in another format as well. Misbah is good for Test, Hafeez for t-20 and Umar Akmal for ODI. PCB should creates three different teams and allow only a handful of players to play in more then one format. Once a player fails three times in one format he should be out.

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Atif

Sep 16, 2013 09:56pm

I saw that program that this report talks about. I am afraid Sethi can make some ill informed comments. For example, he said, "we will win this series, just like the T20 and ODI series", knowing little that the test series is already over, tied at 1-1. It appears Mr Sethi has neither much time, nor much room for him to develop interest in cricket. His time is more devoted to his political analysis which is breadwinner, and his room is restricted by the courts, who allow him nothing more than stamping on day to day affairs. He casually shrugged off the loss, but I doubt that it convinced many people. A loss to Zimbabwe in a Test match can not be shrugged off like that. Test cricket is a sustained test of cricketing skills over 5 days. A minnow like Zim overpowered you for 5 days; you can't just shrug it off saying that's "cricket by chance".

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Adeel

Sep 16, 2013 10:17pm

"...he said the national team will live up to expectations by winning their upcoming series" live up to expectations! is this a joke! Wake up Sethi,!! Upcoming series is not against your street team, its against the no. 1 ranked test team. We have just lost a test match to an unranked team and you think we are expecting this team to win against SA! yes anything is possible in cricket and if by any chance we win against SA, it will be called an unexpected win, a shocking defeat for SA. You think you got good excuses that you cannot do anything because the honorable court has stopped you from doing so ... if you really think that the court is honorable then you should have simply resigned because according to the court you do not deserve to hold your place in PCB!

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Rogers Evans

Sep 16, 2013 10:26pm

Mr. Sethi is himself a humiliation to PCB. How can he criticize his team's performance ? Watch, Mr Sethi. Now team has dropped to no.6 in Test ranking. If you continue like this, team will be lower than Bangladesh and ZIMBABWE in ranking. Your statement shows arrogance.

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Gaurav

Sep 16, 2013 11:27pm

Win and loss are part of the game. Zimbabwe has beaten India also in test matches in their home ground. A cricket match is not what Pakistan should worry about, as Pakistan has lots to worry for.

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Iqbal

Sep 16, 2013 11:33pm

Shameless! Does not suit the PCB chief.

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Shahid

Sep 16, 2013 11:39pm

Shame on this PCB and its arrogant officials. Am I an ex-player who wants job with them? Or all those millions who are sick and tired of non-functioning PCB are ex-players too. Mr. Sethi, our team lost 8 days of test cricket out of 10 against a weakend Zimababwe. Mr. Sethi, your incompetent selection committee is again and again playing those players who have failed for decades while young talent waits and waits before giving up. Mr. Sethi your PCB is unable to arrange A-tours to England, AUs and SA so that our young batsmen could learn to cope with fast swinging wickets. Whatever happened in Zimbabwe is shameful for PCB and its chairman, even if they are ego centered and arrogant to accept the blame, reality is open for the world to see.

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Sep 16, 2013 11:46pm

It is part of the game? Sethi sb. We lost badly to SA, then knocked out of champions trophy and now lost a weakend minnow. If this had happened to any major team in any sport, head would have rolled including that of the chairman of the body, selection committe, coach and the manager. Arrogance will surely work here as it is happening in Pakistan. Why should you care about small insect like fans before they really come out and damage some property. Shameful really shameful words Sethi sb. Why is it so that we have so many small dictators every where in our society?

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Zahid

Sep 16, 2013 11:53pm

haha, the man doesn't know difference between test cricket and limited overs cricket. He is mixing horses with donkeys when he justifys the test loss in zimbabwe by giving example of ODI series win in WI.

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AFK

Sep 16, 2013 11:53pm

Jack of all!! That's what goes very well with Mr Sethi; He's always willing to perform any lucrative job !! cricket chief job must be taken casually or part time affair !! We need a sincere person to officiate And that from cricketing background

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ivehadit

Sep 17, 2013 12:07am

This is just incompetence. Mr. Sethi needs to go back to the Friday Times.

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arif

Sep 17, 2013 01:25am

Cant Blame Najam Sethi for these comments as he is a non cricketing character who does not understand the game of Cricket at all, if you have unprofessional character representing as PCB Chief who does not know head nor tail about cricket, surely one does not expect the game of Cricket to improve in Pakistan. Najam Sethi you need to quit asap.

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sami

Sep 17, 2013 01:39am

What else can we expect from caretaker chairman. He himself don't know much about the future of his job. But, Hue and Cry by former cricketers is Legitimate. Misbah and Younis are on the verge of ending their careers. Sethi Saab before you go do some good for Pak cricket by selecting one accomplished Test/ODI player to coach Pakistan team. Besides an accomplished cricketer the coach should be able to communicate with young talent using our regional languages :)

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PakFan

Sep 17, 2013 01:46am

I like Najam Sethi stringent response and the fact that he is not fixing team issues in media. I hope that he comes through and make appropriate changes for the upcoming series. I personally would recommend bringing Taufeeq Umar and Fawad Alam back along with Umar Akmal. Fawad Alm

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ali

Sep 17, 2013 01:47am

Pretty pathetic reaction

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kamran

Sep 17, 2013 01:51am

@optimist:I partly agree with you. T20 should be different from ODI/Test cricket eleven In T20 we need atleast 5 T20 specialist players. ODI and TEST playing eleven should be alike with the exception of 2 players(allrounders or specialist player for each format).

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Ahmer

Sep 17, 2013 02:07am

It is a shock to read that even a respected person like Sethi Sahib will say anything to keep his job.

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Indusonian

Sep 17, 2013 02:53am

Please leave Harare behind and talk about the future to keep these shocks from happening again - drop Misbah Imran Farhat from the team.

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Javaid

Sep 17, 2013 03:13am

"Unnecessary hue and cry is being created by former cricketers who wanted jobs in the PCB, stated Sethi. I will not give them jobs in the board,

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Ali

Sep 17, 2013 03:56am

Sethi knows he did not get this job because of performance, he knows performance in cricket s not the criteria so why should he worry. He knows he got this position because of him rigging Punjab elections so he is busy in planning for rigging in Punjab local bodies elections. Sharifs have ruined the country just because of personal greed and gains. If Sethi was appointed by PPP Iftikhar Chaudhry would have sent him home saying this appointment was not on merit. Iftikhar Chaudhry's Nawaz favour policy has destroyed this nation. All Pakistan is praying for CJ 8 years rule coming to end so that justice can return to this land

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hammad

Sep 17, 2013 04:07am

Hi First of all a journalist/business man like Mr Sethi should not be PCB chairman. Its very sad to see a non professional person heading PCB. But I guess when you are in good book of Prime minister you can become head of department of any agency and that why Pakistan is failing in all sectors. Mr Sethi you should know that nations only make progress when they are honest there dealings.

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salman khan

Sep 17, 2013 04:37am

shamleess moron. He used to criticize everyone when he was a journalist. Look at him now !

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Ramesh Manghirmalani

Sep 17, 2013 05:13am

agreed with Mr Sethi

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arshad sherazi

Sep 17, 2013 05:40am

Our cricket team is a true reflection of what we are as a whole,we expect our players to perform exceptionally well.And if they do perform well then we think everything else is fine.A nation in need of fighters not martyrs should be at war with their conscience.In a present day scenario loss is a wake up call and success on the other hand is a tranquilizer.

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K.A.Muhammad

Sep 17, 2013 06:46am

Politics and mudslinging seems to be the only solution to the ills that has overtaken sports in Pakistan. If job seekers can create trouble for the cricket board then it means the board has lost its credibility. With credible and stable board only we can think and hope for real wining side getting in the field.

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qzeb

Sep 17, 2013 07:17am

Isn't it Najam Sethi illegal chairman of PCB, not sure why he is still around, kabi care taker CM kabi care taker PCB chairman he is purchee himself should be out by now.

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Kamran

Sep 17, 2013 07:22am

Perhaps we need to loose to associate countries for Najamuddin to notice... what a crock

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S A Khokhar

Sep 17, 2013 07:29am

Does this person has any shame on what he openly does on professional grounds? He runs Geo News, He heads PCB, He orders to sell TV rights ahead of time for Pakistan future series, then PTV stayed away from TV rights, subsequently Geo win the rights to make millions of dollars in the deal! is there any law in this land of the pure corruption? Sharifs are rewarding him and his channel for utter support in staged elections!

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Iftikhar khan

Sep 17, 2013 07:34am

MR Sethi people respect you a lot as a PCB chairman,please do not loose respect by giving such an irresponsible statements.People have high hope in you that you are going to take some drastic action,don't you think its time now to do some clean up.

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Nawaewatan

Sep 17, 2013 08:08am

Mr. Sethi is a Golden Sparrow...who never lays egg. Perhaps prays on other's left over. Mr. Sethi don't you even feel a bit shame. You people have looted this country, there is dirt all over PCB. Money is not every thing. Live with respect and take responsibility. Believe me this shameful performance make me think other wise. I am sure no bookie would have imagined Pakistan's loss. This is quick way for board to make some money..Shame! Shame! all around.

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rehman

Sep 17, 2013 08:40am

chairman p.c.b is a full time job.where an ex cricketer can perform well.sethi sb knows only passing comments on politicians in a private t.v chaneel.raul dravid should be appointed as a coach of pakistan cricket team.

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Khan

Sep 17, 2013 08:47am

Sitting on TV and spreading rumours against others are easy task done by najam sethi he should keep on doing it but from PCB he should be fired. He is not fit for this job and incompetent. If he had any shame and dignity he should have resigned till now but since he lacks these traits he should be kicked out.

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Asif AK

Sep 17, 2013 08:47am

Agree to it, part of game but team definately need overhauling.

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E.Lodhia

Sep 17, 2013 09:02am

What a disgraceful and arrogant statement from Sethi.

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E.Lodhia

Sep 17, 2013 09:40am

disgraceful and arrogant statement by Sethi.

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Zoab Khan

Sep 17, 2013 09:44am

Sethi in his show repeatedly said "Pakistan would come back and win the test series against Zimbabwe." A chairman who doesn't know that even the simplest detail about test series against Zimb being 2 tests not 3. Can you really expect anything from him? Misbah is a great player, i think PCB has wasted much of his career when he was repeatedly sidelined because lesser players were given a chance. But now Misbah should not do the same with other deserving players.

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Zoab Khan

Sep 17, 2013 09:48am

Tell Misbah and Younis: You have until 2015 to build a new team for Pakistan, from the following players. Only Ajmal and Afridi should be the lot of seniors they are allowed to play, rest of the squad has to be young guys: Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Babar Azam, Hammad Azam, Umar Waheed, Haris Sohail, Ahmed Shehzad, Zain Abbas, Junaid Khan, Raza Hasan, Mohammad Nawaz, Zia-ul Haq,

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TamzaK

Sep 17, 2013 10:07am

@optimist: Mr Sethi must go.

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Sanjeev

Sep 17, 2013 10:31am

Whatever happens in Pakistan isn't small !!!!

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Capt C M Khan

Sep 17, 2013 11:10am

"Let a barber cut hair and a tailor cut clothes"......proven true by the SENSELESS statement of Mr Sethi.

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Umair Khalid

Sep 17, 2013 11:45am

shame on you...please quit as chairman and go and do talk shows on pathetic tv channels. thanks!!

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M Rafique

Sep 17, 2013 11:53am

After defeat in first test any news paper in Zimbabwe used the word humiliation for their team. DAWN News is requested to publish the name of news paper and date of publication

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Tanweer

Sep 17, 2013 12:08pm

Oh come on...... any one can have a bad day! Need to move on......

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Baluch

Sep 17, 2013 12:10pm

People like Sethi make statements that smack of political appointees, with scant knowledge of cricket. Pakistan's cricket has been steadily going downhill, exacerbated by the tragic disaster resulting in the ban on four of Pakistan's top cricketers, including Kaneria. As a reaction to this, we have adopted the play safe strategy, picking as our captain and players who first will toe the line, lack flamboyance, and not be unpredictable in their behavior. This approach is even reflected in the style of play in our team - we have virtually no match winners who could wrest away the match, as Watson did against England yesterday. This is one reason Umar Akmal has been shelved on one pretext or another, and Shahzad has to curb his natural instincts. We have no fast bowling all rounder - Australia played four in their match against England yesterday!!! Most teams have a blend of left - and right- handed batsmen in order to throw the bowlers off their line - we always play right handed bats in Tests, even if they border on mediocrity. Mr. Sethi, when people criticize, they are not looking for jobs. They do so because they care. Perhaps that is something difficult for you to understand.

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jafrees2000@gmail.com

Sep 17, 2013 01:03pm

Mr.Najam you have lost all your respect and integrity. when Pakistan beat West Indies and every body was praising the team then you were over the moon and never said that your hands are tied by courts and that you have no say in that victory. Now you are saying after defeat that you are helpless . If you are so helpless then please quit your job now and let someone else take this responsibility . Also your program ( Apas Ki Baat) has lost its venom and cut throat analyis. You have now become a PML(N) spokesman. Sad!

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Sep 17, 2013 07:33pm

not expected anything else from this Chairman G.Kan UK

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Syed

Sep 18, 2013 12:56am

Mr.Sethi, you are such a dumb person and a looser. you did not even know that Pakistan was to play only 2 tests and you kept saying we will win the next match. It seems your days are numbered . You are a biased man who has lost all moral and ethical values for a dummy chairmanship and making inexplicable excuses. Please leave this job for somebody honest like Aamir Sohail or Rashid Latif. You are chiri mar who relays on chriya , can't do anything by yourself .

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optimist

Sep 18, 2013 02:24am

@Zoab Khan: PCB should follow the footsteps of South Africa, India and England. Misbah should be ratained as batsman for test but removed from captainship which should be given to Younus Khan. Australia got rid of Ponting and SA got rid of Jack Kallis, why can't Pakistan get rid of those players who are not performing in a format. The only way to groom new players is to give them exposure to international cricket. PCB should allow only a handful of players to play in two format of the game but never in all three formats.

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Talha

Sep 18, 2013 02:07pm

@jafrees2000@gmail.com: Brother, there was no integrity and respect to be lost even before. He is just doing what was expected from him.

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