Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi is set to face the heat and possibly oust from his top post at the high-profile quarterly meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dubai.
A political storm is about to arise in the important quarterly meeting of ICC in Dubai. The main agenda is likely to be the Asia Cup 2025 trophy drama, the deepening crisis within USA Cricket and a fierce standoff between the ICC and the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) over player-image rights.
Jay Shah ready to decide Mohsin Naqvi’s fate at ICC meeting
The series of high-stakes meetings will begin with the ICC Chief Executives meeting on November 5, followed by the all-important Board meeting on November 7, where global cricket chiefs, including ICC President Jay Shah, are expected to decide the fate of a number of issues.
Also read: Mohsin Naqvi kept hiding from ICC sanctions, stuck in Pakistan due to fear of Jai Shah
Although the Asia Cup controversy is not officially listed on the agenda, it has now been confirmed that it will dominate informal talks and could even cause a major blow within the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
India won the Asia Cup title by defeating Pakistan in a tense final, but refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister.
India’s gesture was a sign of protest over the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year and the ACC chairman took the trophy with him and refused to hand it over to the champion team. Since the final, the trophy has been locked in the ACC office in the UAE.
Mohsin Naqvi’s stance on Asia Cup trophy is getting him into trouble
Mohsin Naqvi reportedly insisted that only he had the authority to hand it over and this has angered BCCI officials. Sources close to the ICC have indicated that the controversy could lead to Naqvi’s removal as ACC chief, with several board members calling for an impeachment-style motion.
The move has already been “scripted” behind closed doors, and the final decision can be formalized in Dubai, with Jay Shah expected to sign the official order after it is approved by the board.
The India-Pakistan rivalry has extended far beyond the field this year, with relations between the BCCI and PCB reflecting the political rivalry between their governments.
The Asia Cup itself was marred by heated moments, including the no-handshake policy and political gestures from four players: Haris Rauf, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Sahibzada Farhan.
Also read: KKR, Delhi Capitals deal broken because of 1 player! And this is not KL Rahul
ICC board members want improvement in India-Pakistan relations
Naqvi’s dual role in politics and cricket has further complicated the matter. There remains uncertainty over whether the ACC chief will attend the ICC meetings in Dubai in person or virtually, as rumors of his removal from the post intensified.
Behind the scenes, cricket administrators are pushing to reset India-Pakistan relations, not only for the sake of diplomacy, but also for the wider commercial impact of their rivalry on global cricket. The coming days in Dubai are expected to determine the power dynamics in Asian cricket.