AS soon as Punjab CM Mohsin Naqvi became cricket chief, the first elected Pakistan Cricket Board chairman in 14 months, the rumour mill began to churn. A return for Babar Azam as national team captain was one of the first things we heard, underscoring the inclination of new PCB chiefs to undo their predecessor’s decisions. Babar had been removed as all-format captain by Zaka Ashraf, who was PCB’s interim management committee head, following the team’s sub-par performance at the ODI World Cup. Shan Masood and Shaheen Shah Afridi were appointed Test and Twenty20 captains but Babar could well become ODI captain, if not reinstated across all formats. There could also be a change in the team management. Cricket hasn’t done well: a 3-0 Test series whitewash in Australia, followed by a 4-1 T20 drubbing in New Zealand. But issues pertaining to the team may be one of the last things on Mr Naqvi’s agenda. The upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League, the PCB’s financial driver, is set to begin on Feb 17. As the fallout from the general elections continues, there is a possibility of the event being delayed. Mr Naqvi will have to use his political nous to ensure the PSL takes place according to schedule, with international commitments to follow ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in June.

Mr Naqvi’s term is for three years, during which Pakistan is to host the 2025 Champions Trophy. Not only does the PCB have to prepare the venues and facilities for the eight-team tournament. it also has to continue talking to the International Cricket Council to ensure that India plays in Pakistan in the tournament after the national side went to the former country for the World Cup. But will Mr Naqvi last that long? PCB heads have almost always had the blessings of the government of the day, and the final poll outcome will determine how long he stays.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2024