ISLAMABAD: Former test opening batsman Mohsin Khan has quit as head of Pakistan Cricket Board’s cricket committee just four days after the national team lost to archrival India at the World Cup.
Khan, appearing as an analyst on national television, had been criticizing Pakistan dismal performance at the tournament.
The PCB issued a statement saying that during a recent meeting with the PCB chairman Ehsan Mani, Khan had “expressed his willingness to be released from his current position, which was accepted by the PCB chairman.”
Pakistan has won just one of its first five group matches at the World Cup, against top-ranked England.
A heavy loss to India last weekend likely means Pakistan needs victories in each of its remaining games, starting against South Africa on Sunday at Lord’s, to stand a chance of qualifying for the semifinals.
Former test captains Wasim Akram and Misbah-ul-Haq along with Urooj Mumtaz, ex-captain of Pakistan’s women’s team, are the other members of the cricket committee.
Mohsin Khan thanked the board for giving him an opportunity to head the cricket committee and said his “services are always available for Pakistan cricket at a suitable position in view of my past record.”
He was previously head of the selection committee and also coached the national team.
PCB managing director Wasim Khan will be the new head of the cricket committee as the cricket board plans to carry out robust review of national team’s performance over the past three years.
Mohsin Khan quits as head of Pakistan’s cricket committee
Mohsin Khan quits as head of Pakistan’s cricket committee
- Khan has recently criticized Pakistan Team’s dismal performance in the World Cup
- Cricket board managing director Wasim Khan will be the new head of the committee
Pakistan opposition ends protests, PTI forms ‘Imran Khan Release Force’ for jailed ex-PM
- Opposition alliance ends week-long protests over Khan’s health concerns
- Party announces nationwide membership drive for “peaceful” mobilization
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani opposition alliance on Wednesday called off nationwide sit-ins held over jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s health, while his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced a new mobilization campaign, including the formation of an “Imran Khan Release Force.”
Pakistan has faced months of political confrontation between Khan’s party and the government since his arrest in 2023, with repeated protests, court battles and accusations by PTI that authorities are attempting to sideline its leader from politics, allegations the government denies.
Tensions have intensified in recent weeks after concerns emerged about Khan’s health in prison. Khan’s lawyer told Pakistan’s Supreme Court last week that the ex-cricketer had lost significant vision in his right eye while in custody, while a medical board said the swelling had reduced after treatment and his vision had improved. Since last week, the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance has been holding a days-long sit-in at Parliament House over Khan’s health concerns.
“All sit-ins including the one at parliament have been called off,” Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai, a spokesperson for the alliance, told Arab News.
Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi told reporters the party was preparing for an organized political movement to demand their leader’s release.
“After continuous violations of court orders, an organized public struggle has now become inevitable,” Afridi said, announcing the creation of an “Imran Khan Release Force,” with membership open to youth across the country.
Afridi said the organization would include PTI’s student, youth, women, minority and professional wings and would conduct a “completely peaceful struggle,” adding that Khan himself would dissolve the body after his release.
He said membership cards would be issued within days and supporters would take oath in Peshawar after Eid, with a formal chain of command operating under leadership designated by Khan.
“This struggle is for real freedom, supremacy of the constitution and law, democracy and free media,” Afridi said.
Imran Khan, 73, a former cricket star who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, was removed from office in a parliamentary vote of no confidence that he says was orchestrated by political rivals with backing from the military. Both the government and armed forces deny the allegation.
Khan has been jailed since August 2023 after convictions he and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party call politically motivated.
Broadcast outlets have been restricted from airing Khan’s name and speeches or even showing his image. Only a single court photograph has been publicly available since his imprisonment.
PTI swept to power in 2018 and retains a large support base across key provinces.
