It’s shaping up to be a tense week in Dubai as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi prepares to defend himself and Pakistan’s position, with India planning toraise multiple objections during the ICC Board meeting, sources close to the matter have confirmed.
According to insiders, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) intends to question Mohsin Naqvi’s dual role as both PCB chief and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, claiming it violates ICC governance rules. The Indian board has reportedly compiled a list of complaints, linking back to Naqvi’s handling of the Asia Cup and a series of incidents that reignited political tensions between the two cricketing rivals.
The flashpoint came during the Asia Cup final in Dubai on September 28. The post-match ceremony turned awkward when India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi—a move interpreted as a political snub amid rising border tensions.
That wasn’t the only controversy during the competition. Earlier in the tournament, Indian players avoided handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts, while Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf’s “6-0” gesture and a mock plane celebration sparked outrage across the border. Both boards later filed complaints with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), but tensions lingered well beyond the tournament.
Adding to Mohsin Naqvi’s challenges, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is expected to side with India, reportedly demanding that Naqvi relinquish one of his posts. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been frosty since a recent military strike incident that led Afghanistan to withdraw from a tri-series in Pakistan.
Despite the mounting pressure, Mohsin Naqvi remains unshaken. PCB officials insist he acted fully within his authority as Asian Cricket Council president, under whose jurisdiction the Asia Cup was organized. Sources add that Naqvi has already consulted legal experts to reinforce his case before the ICC.
He is expected to attend the ICC Board meeting on November 7, unless his Senate commitments in Islamabad overlap with the sessions.
After months of strained ties that have tested the very meaning of cricketing spirit, all eyes are now on Dubai, where cricket diplomacy faces its toughest test yet.
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