Even a Psychiatrist Can’t Help: Najam Sethi Slams Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 Performance

After Pakistan's defeat in their group stage game against India in the Asia Cup 2025, both the Pakistan cricket team and the board appeared quite disturbed. Team India refused to shake hands with the players after defeating Pakistan in the previous match, further worsening the situation, and the same happened in the Super 4 clash when both teams faced each other again. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) first canceled the press conference and has now hired a psychiatrist to motivate the players. However, former PCB chairman Najam Sethi questioned this decision and mocked the team.

Najam Sethi stated on a Pakistani channel that he had proposed hiring a psychiatrist during his tenure, but the players were reluctant. He said that therapy is often viewed negatively in Pakistan, with a perceived weakness and even "madness" associated with seeing a psychiatrist. He sarcastically said,

“Mental health is a huge issue, but it's not taken seriously in Pakistan. The most interesting thing is that the experts brought in are mostly qualified from abroad and speak in English. Our players can't understand their language. They have to be explained in Urdu or Pashto.”

Sethi also cited the players' educational background and class as a major challenge. He said that many of the Pakistan team's players are poorly educated and come from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, a psychiatrist can't change them overnight. The pressure on the Pakistan team has increased significantly after the defeat to India. The PCB believes that the players need to be mentally strengthened, but criticism from the former chairman has raised questions about whether this step will truly prove effective or will remain just a "drama" like other board decisions.

Now, it will be interesting to see what the result of the Super 4 clash will be. As of now, Pakistan has posted a target of 172 for the Men In Blue.