The corridors of international cricket administration are rarely quiet, but the latest discussion has sent social media into a tizzy. A series of viral claims suggest so Mohsin Naqvicurrent president of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Federal Interior Minister of Pakistan, is posted to assume the charge of International Cricket Council (ICC) from the incumbent, Jai Shah.
Given the historically poor relations between cricket boards India And PakistanThis news has sparked intense debate among fans. However, before the narrative gains momentum, it is necessary to peel back the layers of these viral claims and look at the hard facts governing the ICC leadership change.
Viral social media post cites a report claiming Mohsin Naqvi as the next ICC chairman
The spark of this digital wildfire was a post on X (formerly Twitter) that gained massive popularity on March 29, 2026. The post cited an alleged report by ESPN, which claimed that Naqvi is all set to replace Shah. According to the viral claim, Naqvi will serve as ICC chairman for a four-year term from 2028 to 2032.
The timing of this rumor is particularly sensitive. This follows a period of significant friction within Asian Cricket Council (ACC)Where Naqvi serves as the President. am following asia cup 2025A strange controversy emerged when the Indian team was led Suryakumar YadavReportedly refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi due to diplomatic tension. In a move that grabbed headlines, Naqvi reportedly took the trophy to the ACC office in Dubai, and said it would be handed over only if the Indian captain received it from him personally.
Also read: Ahmed Shehzad criticizes Mohsin Naqvi and PCB for Pakistan’s poor 2026 campaign
Fact Check: Will Naqvi become the next ICC chairman after Jay Shah?
Despite ESPN’s quote in the viral post, a deeper look into the official records shows No such report exists. ESPN and its affiliate, ESPNcricinfo, have not published any news regarding a pre-determined succession plan for 2028. The social media post appears to be a classic case of circular reporting, where an unverified claim is given a false sense of authority by attributing it to a reputable news outlet.
To understand why these claims ring factually hollow, one has to look at the current ICC timeline and the organization’s constitution. Shah officially takes over the role of ICC President on December 1, 2024 greg barclay. Under current ICC rules, a chairman is elected for a two-year term, which can be renewed twice for a maximum of six years.
Currently, Shah is focusing on covering cricket during an important era for the game 2028 los angeles olympics. There is no waiting list or inheritance system for the top ICC post. This process is completely democratic:
- Enrollment: A candidate must be nominated by at least one current ICC Director.
- Election: If there are multiple candidates, a secret ballot is held among the 16 board directors.
- Majority: A simple majority is required to win.
While Naqvi is indeed an influential figure as the head of the PCB and the ACC, his path to ICC president would require a formal election process that has not even started for the 2028 cycle. Furthermore, the PCB is currently grappling with internal challenges including disappointing t20 world cup 2026 The campaign and ongoing debate about Naqvi’s dual role as a government minister and cricket administrator.
In conclusion, the reports of Naqvi becoming the next ICC Chairman are false and unverified. There is no official support for these claims, and the alleged ESPN report is non-existent.
