'Only way to beat India is if PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi and Gen Munir bat as openers': Imran Khan lashes out at Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Taking a swipe at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, jailed former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has mockingly suggested that Naqvi should pad up as an opener alongside Army Chief General Asim Munir if Pakistan hopes to win a cricket match against India.Imran’s sarcastic remarks came in the wake of Pakistan’s back-to-back defeats to India in the ongoing Asia Cup in Dubai.His sister, Aleema Khan, speaking to reporters on Monday, elaborated on his comments. According to her, Imran said that the only chance Pakistan had of beating India would be if Gen Munir and Naqvi opened the innings, with former chief justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja serving as umpires. For the role of third umpire, he mockingly suggested Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar.Aleema added that she had informed her brother about the twin defeats against India, which prompted his jibe.Imran, who captained Pakistan to its only ODI World Cup triumph in 1992, has held Naqvi responsible for the decline of Pakistan cricket, accusing him of “incompetence” and “nepotism.”The 72-year-old has also repeatedly accused Gen Munir of stealing his party’s mandate in the February 2024 general elections with the help of then CJP Isa and election commissioner Raja.The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder has been incarcerated since August 2023 in multiple cases.