Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi faced widespread online ridicule after a social media blunder eclipsed his official meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. The meeting, held on January 26, was meant to brief the prime minister on recent developments related to the ICC T20 World Cup and coordination with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, but quickly descended into embarrassment due to Naqvi’s now-viral tweet.

Shortly after the meeting, Naqvi posted on social media claiming he had held a “productive discussion” with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif instead of the sitting prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif. The glaring error was immediately spotted by users, triggering a flood of mockery, memes, and sarcastic commentary across social media platforms. Screenshots of the post spread rapidly, turning the PCB chairman into a laughing stock online.

The mistake drew sharp criticism, with users questioning how the head of Pakistan’s cricket board could publicly misidentify the country’s prime minister after an official meeting. Many described the error as emblematic of a deeper culture of carelessness and poor attention to detail within Pakistan’s institutions, particularly those led by political appointees rather than professional administrators.

Observers noted that the incident was especially embarrassing given the political sensitivity surrounding the Sharif family and Pakistan’s fragile governance environment. Critics argued that confusing the names of the country’s most powerful political figures was not a trivial slip, but a reflection of administrative incompetence and casual governance at the highest levels.

The gaffe also reignited criticism of the PCB’s leadership at a time when Pakistan cricket is grappling with governance instability, declining performance, and strained relations with international cricketing bodies. Instead of projecting seriousness and strategic planning ahead of a global tournament, the episode reinforced perceptions of disorder and mismanagement.

Opposition voices and commentators said the incident further dented Pakistan’s credibility, both politically and institutionally. Several pointed out that such avoidable blunders undermine confidence in the country’s ability to manage international events and diplomatic sporting engagements.

Although the tweet was later deleted or corrected, the damage had already been done. For many Pakistanis, the episode was not merely about a wrong name but about what it symbolised a state apparatus plagued by confusion, poor professionalism, and a lack of accountability.

As Pakistan struggles with economic stress, political volatility, and institutional fatigue, even routine official engagements are increasingly becoming sources of public embarrassment, reinforcing a growing sense of cynicism and distrust among citizens. 

This image is taken from News18.