NEW DELHI: Cricket will be "destroyed" if "favourites" are placed in positions of decision-making authority, according to World Cup-winning captain and former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who voiced his anger after the team's elimination from the current ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.
The fans and supporters of the squad were devastated when Pakistan, who had been waiting for 29 years to host an ICC tournament, were eliminated from the competition in just 5 days.
"Imran says cricket will be eventually destroyed when favourites are put in decision-making positions," Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, told reporters, as quoted by Geo News.
Pakistan's terrible record in the ICC competitions continued as the reigning champions lost two straight games against New Zealand and India in the group stage.
The Men in Green required Bangladesh to defeat New Zealand, for a place in the semi-finals, but the tenacious Kiwis defeated the Tigers by five wickets in Rawalpindi on Monday.
Imran Khan also questioned Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), claiming that he always makes a "mess" of things when he is in charge.
"Imran Khan said that no one in Pakistan has as many positions as Mohsin Naqvi has. When Naqvi was appointed [Punjab] Chief Minister, he committed injustices. He is appointed interior minister, he again committed injustices. Whichever position he is appointed, he makes a mess of it," Aleema Khan said as quoted by The Express Tribune.
"Imran Khan said that a respectable man would resign after such a poor performance but this could not happen," she added.
Pakistan will play Bangladesh in their final Champions Trophy 2025 group stage encounter At the National Stadium in Rawalpindi on Thursday. Since both teams have already been eliminated from the tournament, this match would be a dead rubber.
