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‘Completely clueless management’: Shoaib Akhtar blasts Pakistan, fires warning to Mohsin Naqvi | Cricket News

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'Completely clueless management': Shoaib Akhtar blasts Pakistan, fires warning to Mohsin Naqvi
Shoaib Akhtar and Mohsin Naqvi (Agency Image)

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has indirectly questioned the leadership at the Pakistan Cricket Board after Pakistan crashed out of the T20 World Cup 2026 despite signing off their Super 8 campaign with a win over Sri Lanka.Pakistan’s victory in their final Group 2 fixture was not enough to overhaul New Zealand’s superior net run rate, which meant another semifinal miss at a global event. It marked Pakistan’s fourth straight failure at ICC tournaments, following early exits at the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

India vs West Indies: Greenstone Lobo predicts fate of do-or-die World Cup clash

Speaking on Tapmad, Akhtar did not mince words while criticising the team’s think tank. He labelled the management “clueless” and suggested that flawed selection calls over the past fortnight had cost Pakistan dearly.“Pakistan’s management looks completely clueless. Today’s team selection only confirmed that the XI picked over the last 15 days was wrong. There was one clear error — Saim Ayub should have played instead of Khawaja Nafay. Saim could have contributed with the ball as well,” Akhtar said.He pointed out that Pakistan’s strong showing against Sri Lanka highlighted what had been missing earlier in the tournament.“This selection showed that when you pick the right players for the right roles, they perform. Fakhar Zaman is a natural opener, yet he wasn’t played earlier. Today, Farhan, Fakhar and Abrar all delivered. That tells you everything.”Akhtar then shifted the spotlight towards PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, suggesting that while the chief may have good intentions, the structure around him is failing the team.“I have nothing against Mohsin Naqvi. From what I hear, he is a good person. He is one of the most powerful chairmen in Pakistan’s cricket history. He has influence, resources and authority. But if he cannot build a strong management structure, and the team has failed to qualify in four consecutive tournaments, then something is seriously wrong within the board.“I understand that he may not be a cricket expert and genuinely wants the team to do well. But is he seeking the right advice? It doesn’t appear so. This is a request to Naqvi: the people advising you are making you look bad. The selection committee is not doing you justice.“He may want success for Pakistan cricket, but the system around him is not helping. The real question is — who are these people? At this stage, Naqvi remains Pakistan cricket’s last hope, but he needs the right support structure to turn things around.”

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3 things to look forward to in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash between India and West Indies ft. Varun Chakaravarthy

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India are all set to face off against the West Indies in their final match of the Super Eight stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The encounter will be contested at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, March 1.

The stakes are high, with both teams eyeing a spot in the final four. The match promises to be a spectacle, with plenty of individual battles and strategic face-offs to focus on.

India’s squad for the T20 World Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar.

West Indies’ squad for the T20 World Cup: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Johnson Charles, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Quentin Sampson.

On that note, here are three things to look forward to in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against the West Indies.


#3 India’s new-look top three will be in focus once again

Net Sessions - ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 - Source: GettyNet Sessions - ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 - Source: Getty
Net Sessions – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 – Source: Getty

India have moved towards a fresh top order at the business end of the T20 World Cup – Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. How this relatively new combination fares against a quality West Indies bowling attack will be interesting to see.

The visitors could opt to bring in Akeal Hosein for Matthew Forde. Known for his powerplay bowling, Akeal could ask some serious questions of Samson. If the Windies can break the shaky Indian opening partnership, the stage could be set for Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase through the middle overs.

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#2 Varun Chakaravarthy can be backed to find his best form

Cricket: Australia v India - 2nd T20I - Source: GettyCricket: Australia v India - 2nd T20I - Source: Getty
Cricket: Australia v India – 2nd T20I – Source: Getty

Varun Chakaravarthy will be the key cog in India’s bowling attack, and the Kolkata venue might just be what he needs to rediscover his mojo. He’s been a bit inconsistent lately, despite a fair amount of wickets in the tournament.

Varun’s form will be important for India, especially in the middle overs. If he can find his rhythm and bowl with control, he could stifle the West Indies’ scoring rate. The visitors have many players who are susceptible against wrist-spin, making the ace spinner crucial.

India will be hoping that Varun can turn things around. Can he bamboozle the West Indies batsmen and help his team gain the upper hand?


#1 Can India avoid an embarrassing exit from the T20 World Cup?

Net Sessions - ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 - Source: GettyNet Sessions - ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 - Source: Getty
Net Sessions – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 – Source: Getty

The Men in Blue will be under pressure to perform, given that a defeat would mean the end of their title defense. India have a strong team on paper, but they’ll need to execute their plans effectively on the field.

The Windies are the obvious underdogs, but the danger they possess is clear. With the pitch expected to be dry, their spinners could even the scales to a great extent. India haven’t been anywhere near their best either.

Avoiding an early exit from the T20 World Cup will be paramount for India. Can they rise to the occasion and deliver a strong performance against a determined West Indies side?

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