'Will urge PM Shehbaz Sharif to discuss Pakistan's Champions Trophy debacle in the Parliament'

A senior Pakistani government official has announced plans to request Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take up the national cricket team's dismal performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in both Parliament and the Federal Cabinet.
Rana Sanaullah, the PM's advisor on Political and Public Affairs, expressed his concerns during an interview with Geo TV, stating that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) must be held accountable for its management and expenditures.
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"The PCB is an independent institution, and they have done as they pleased. However, I will urge the Prime Minister to discuss this in the Cabinet and Parliament," Sanaullah said.
Pakistan's campaign in the tournament ended in disappointment with heavy defeats to New Zealand and arch-rivals India. Their final group match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi was abandoned due to rain, sealing their early exit.
Sanaullah emphasised the need for transparency in the PCB's spending, particularly regarding player contracts and mentorship roles.

"The money spent at the PCB should be brought before Parliament. Mentors are being paid five million rupees, yet some admit they don't even know their responsibilities. This misuse of funds needs scrutiny," he stated.
He also criticised the state of grassroots cricket, noting that while the PCB spends lavishly on officials and players, club and district-level cricket remains in shambles.
"If you compare PCB's perks and privileges to the rest of Pakistan, you'd think it's a European nation. The Prime Minister will take notice of this," he added.
Calling for stability and reforms, Sanaullah stressed the need for a structured cricket board like those in other leading nations.