Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has urged fans to refrain from criticising the national team, emphasising the need for unwavering support whether they win or lose.

Naqvi made these remarks during a special ceremony at Karachi’s National Stadium to honour the workers involved in its renovation.

Over 700 labourers were given a red carpet welcome and treated to a special meal as a token of appreciation for their dedication and hard work in completing the stadium’s refurbishment.

In a heartfelt gesture, the PCB chairman personally met with the workers and announced free tickets for them to watch the Pakistan vs South Africa match.

Addressing the event, Naqvi hailed the workers as the “true guests of honour” and expressed gratitude for their tireless efforts.

“You all deserve immense credit for working day and night to complete this project. There’s still work left, which we’ll continue after the Champions Trophy,” he added, praising Karachi’s stadium renovations as even better than those in Lahore.

He dismissed social media scepticism about the stadium’s completion, declaring, “Today, the doubters have lost, and we have won. The real heroes of this project are these laborers, who worked tirelessly without taking a single day off.”

Naqvi also announced plans to improve the stadium’s angles and construct a trench for enhanced viewing.

Reiterating his support for the national team, Naqvi said, “Critics have been proven wrong. We must believe in our players. They are working hard and will deliver good results.”

He called for unwavering backing for the team, stating, “Win or lose, we must stand by our players. Just like we’ve seen positive results before, we’ll see them again. The PCB has full confidence in Mohammad Rizwan, the squad, and the selection committee. They will rise to the occasion.”