PM Shehbaz likely to take notice of Pakistan’s poor Champions Trophy performance

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif is expected to take notice of the country's cricket team's disappointing performance in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as criticism continues over the team’s early exit from the tournament.

Rana Sanaullah, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political and Public Affairs, hinted at a possible review of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), stating that the issue would be raised in both the Cabinet and Parliament.

Speaking to a private TV channel, Sanaullah said, “The Prime Minister will personally take notice, and we will ask him to bring these cricket-related issues to the Cabinet and Parliament.”

Sanaullah strongly criticized PCB, stating that the board has been operating without proper oversight for years.

“This is not just about appointing a Chairman. Look at the last five to ten years and see what has been happening,” he said.

He also expressed concerns about financial mismanagement and a lack of accountability within the board, emphasizing that spending on professional-level cricket should be made public.

“The condition of cricket at the college and district levels is terrible, yet patrons are being paid Rs. 5 million while openly admitting on television that they are unaware of their responsibilities,” he remarked.

“You will be shocked to hear about the perks and privileges of PCB officials. It will leave you wondering whether they work for a Pakistani institution or a developed country,” he added.

Sanaullah further stressed the need for structural reforms within the PCB, advocating for the introduction of a permanent system to ensure smooth operations.

“These issues have persisted for years. People take charge of the cricket board through power and then do whatever they want, leading to the current state of affairs,” he said.

His remarks come after Pakistan’s consecutive defeats to New Zealand and arch-rivals India, which led to the team's elimination from the tournament. 

Under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, the Green Shirts were defending their title in the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades.

Pakistan will face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi today (Thursday), but the match has become a dead rubber as both teams have already been knocked out.