Mohsin Naqvi's PCB Suffers Consequence Of Own Negligence; Forced To Abandon Major Event

Mohsin Naqvi forced to cancel major event [Source: X]

In a significant development, the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB was forced to abandon the National T20 Cup final between the Abbottabad Region and the Karachi Region Whites due to a bizarre reason. The high-voltage clash was supposed to be played at the Imran Khan Stadium in Peshawar. 

The Abbottabad region and Karachi region whites enjoyed stellar success in the league stage, securing the first position in their respective groups. While Abbottabad registered three thumping victories, the Karachi region finished as the group-A table-toppers with six points under their belt. 

However, the final between these two teams had to be postponed, as the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB dramatically suffered the consequences of its own negligence. 

National T20 Cup final abandoned, PCB to announce revised schedule

The National T20 Cup 2026 final was all set to be played between the Abbottabad region and the Karachi region whites at the Imran Khan Stadium in Peshawar. 

However, in an unfortunate turn of events, the PCB had to call off the fixture scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, due to inclement weather. 

As per CREX, it started raining around 7 pm local time in Peshawar, as the groundsmen put the ground under covers. However, with the rain not easing and puddles being formed in the outfield, the umpires had to abandon the fixture. 

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Although the final had March 19 as the reserve day, the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB was forced to postpone the clash owing to poor ground conditions after heavy rainfall. The Pakistani board will later announce a revised date for the National T20 Cup 2026 final. 

"The final between Abbottabad and Karachi Whites has been rescheduled for a later date following persistent rain and overcast weather in Peshawar. The exact date and venue for the final will be shared closer to the match," the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB said in a press release. 

Postponement of National T20 Cup final highlights PCB's negligence

It's worth mentioning that two group-stage matches of the National T20 Cup were abandoned at the Imran Khan Stadium in Peshawar. 

The Karachi Vs Peshawar clash was the first match to be called off, while the group-stage encounters between Lahore-Karachi and Peshawar-Bahawalpur also faced abandonments. 

The Abbottabad Vs Lahore semifinal was also spoiled by rain, with the venue's poor drainage system affecting several fixtures in the competition. 

Although the entire National T20 Cup was scheduled in Peshawar, the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB should've opted for an alternative venue after the group-stage fixtures were called off. 

Despite the rain forecast, the Pakistani board didn't relocate the matches in time. It's the PCB's responsibility to maintain the cricket grounds in Pakistan so that important matches like those in the National T20 Cup don't get washed out due to poor drainage systems. 

It's believed that the PCB restricted the National T20 Cup to Peshawar as the other prominent venues are getting prepared to host the PSL 2026 matches. 

However, even if that had been the case, some proactivity by the board could've prevented the abandonment of the final had it finalised an alternative venue for the ultimate clash. 

PCB to conduct PSL 2026 from March 26 to May 3

While the postponement of the National T20 Cup final shows the PCB's incompetence, the board is all set to host the PSL 2026 from March 26 to May 3 across six venues. 

Interestingly, the Imran Khan Stadium isn't among the PSL 2026 venues, which may be altered due to the war between Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

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