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A Shining, Sparkling Gaddafi Stadium

When Mohsin Naqvi took over as PCB Chairman, he stated that the board’s money should not sit idle in banks but be spent on cricket

A Shining, Sparkling Gaddafi Stadium PHOTO: AFP

An Indian host was interviewing Bollywood star Akshay Kumar when he suddenly started reciting the multiplication table of seven. “Seven ones are seven, seven twos are fourteen…” He correctly recited up to seven times eight, and everyone listened silently. But as soon as he said, “Seven nines are sixty-five,” the anchor immediately corrected him, saying, “Not sixty-five, sixty-three.” Hearing this, Akshay snapped his fingers and said, “This is exactly what I wanted to point out. As long as I was reciting correctly, no one said anything, but at the first mistake, I was immediately corrected. This is how life works.” The anchor felt embarrassed.

This is indeed true. No matter how well someone performs, they receive little appreciation. We Pakistanis, in particular, are extremely stingy when it comes to giving praise. However, if someone makes even a small mistake, we do not hesitate to criticize them.

The condition of cricket stadiums in Pakistan had been deteriorating. Spectators would often ask each other which player was batting. Thankfully, with screens and scoreboards, people could now follow the game. The stadiums were surrounded by massive fences, as if spectators were in a zoo looking at lions that might devour them without barriers. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) never lacked funds—many PCB officials even became millionaires despite modest salaries, some building farmhouses and maintaining overseas work permits and bank accounts.

When Mohsin Naqvi took over as PCB Chairman, he stated that the board’s money should not sit idle in banks but be spent on cricket. While the PCB does not rely on government funding, the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination frequently summoned top officials for accountability, as cricket headlines dominate Pakistani media, while smaller sports receive little attention. Naqvi ended the PCB’s dependency on the ministry and decided to upgrade stadiums, with an estimated cost exceeding 12 billion PKR.

With the Champions Trophy just months away, many critics argued that this decision was a mistake. They feared that if the stadiums were not ready in time, the entire event might be moved to Dubai. Indian critics naturally opposed anything Pakistan did, but even local voices doubted the feasibility, saying that constructing or renovating cricket stadiums takes years, not months. However, Naqvi remained confident, always smiling and saying, “Everything will be completed before the event.”

Now that Gaddafi Stadium has been revamped, it presents a brand-new look. Naqvi, sitting near the boundary rope during a press conference, had the expression of a victorious captain. The stadium’s view has significantly improved, allowing spectators to enjoy matches more comfortably. New lights and screens will enhance the experience. A trench has been built to prevent overenthusiastic fans from storming the field, eliminating the need for massive fences.

Mohsin Naqvi deserves credit for this, but since he also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, political biases prevent many from acknowledging his achievements. Historically, PCB chairmen have always been appointed based on political affiliations—Najam Sethi was backed by Nawaz Sharif, Ehsan Mani and Ramiz Raja by Imran Khan, and Zaka Ashraf by Asif Ali Zardari. This time, too, the appointment followed the same pattern. However, it is hard to deny that the PCB has never had a chairman as powerful and independent as Naqvi. If he cannot fix Pakistan’s cricket administration, perhaps no one can.

Revamping stadiums is a major achievement, but Naqvi has also curtailed “player power” within the team. For the first time, the PCB has engaged with the Indian board on equal footing. These actions deserve appreciation. However, Naqvi has largely distanced himself from direct cricketing matters, delegating responsibilities to former players—some of whom are taking undue advantage. Wahab Riaz made serious blunders during the World Cup, and now Aaqib Javed appears to be doing the same ahead of the Champions Trophy. The criticism of team selection is not entirely baseless.

Naqvi should not rely too much on former players’ advice, as many—earning $12,000 or 5 million PKR per month—would never say anything he dislikes. In Pakistan, ex-cricketers are only honest until they secure a PCB job; afterward, their opinions undergo a complete 360-degree shift. Only a handful maintain their integrity. Naqvi should seek advice from people like Wasim Akram, who has never pursued a PCB job. Within his own team, he has talented individuals like Aamir Mir and Rafiullah. Similarly, the PCB should recruit cricketers with genuine merit.

Off the field, PCB has made significant strides, but on the field, players must perform. Losing a Test match to West Indies was unacceptable. With the Champions Trophy being held on home soil, a strong performance is crucial. Naqvi should not hand full control to Aaqib Javed and others; he must personally oversee decisions. If Pakistan wins the Champions Trophy at home, Naqvi’s name will be remembered for years—not only for upgrading stadiums but also for building a championship-winning team. Even his critics will be forced to acknowledge his contributions.

There is still time—take action, Mr. Naqvi!