'Even India lost to Ireland': Naqvi defends Pakistan after Test losses to England

Lashing out at the criticism faced by Pakistan's cricket team after its heavy Test defeats against England, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the side was being lambasted by people "who have never achieved anything in their lives".

Speaking to the media in London, Naqvi cited other teams' losses to weaker opponents, including India's recent T20 defeats against Ireland, to argue that a few setbacks do not define a team.

Naqvi and the Pakistan Cricket Board came under fire after seven players in the touring squad for the England series were replaced with mostly young players. Pakistan are trailing 0-2 in the three-match series.

Clearly irritated by the criticism from several quarters, Naqvi rejected claims that Pakistan cricket is at its worst right now.

"You used to be ranked eighth in ODIs, which has now gone up to fifth. You have had six ODI series, out of which you have won four, but still, our cricket is finished?" he said. "Our success rate has gone up from 24 per cent to 73 per cent, and I'm not talking about just one or the other specific match, but still, our cricket is finished?"

Naqvi said critics and fans should stop demoralising the players. The Pakistan team has faced criticism from former stars including Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Yousuf and Rashid Latif.

"Those players who have never achieved anything in their lives, when they talk along these lines, that's unreasonable," he said, adding that he regularly sought the opinions of former players.

Naqvi, however, acknowledged that mistakes can be made in selection and said he was accountable for them. "Sometimes there are mistakes made in selection as well. I am answerable for that, and we need to work on it," he said, adding that it was sometimes necessary to remove players if they failed to perform.

He also said it was unrealistic to expect Pakistan to rise from ninth to first in the rankings within three or six months. "There is a long way to go," he said.