How Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB continues to hit new lows: A blow-by-blow account | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Amid the handshake controversy, the no-trophy celebration, alleged disrespect during India’s national anthem, India’s Asia Cup triumph, retaining India’s title-winning trophy in his possession, and sudden changes in Pakistan’s captaincy, one figure dominated the headlines — PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.The Asia Cup final was a spectacle of chaos and controversy. India refused to accept the winning trophy from Naqvi, who then walked off with it, while Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha tossed the runners-up cheque. The dramatic events overshadowed the on-field action, leaving cricket fans stunned.Despite the turmoil, India secured their ninth Asia Cup title overall (ODIs + T20Is) and their second in the T20I format.In the aftermath, Naqvi made sweeping decisions in Pakistan cricket. He appointed Shaheen Shah Afridi as the new ODI captain, replacing Mohammad Rizwan. Soon after, Naqvi announced that Shan Masood, stepping down as Pakistan Test captain, would join the PCB as a consultant for international cricket.
From trophy controversies to captaincy shake-ups, the Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons. Here’s a blow-by-blow account of the latest controversies.NO HANDSHAKETensions flared from the start as India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha refused to shake hands. Naqvi was present but largely in the backdrop.TROPHY PRESENTATION: TEAM INDIA REFUSESAfter India’s win, players refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who waited on stage for nearly 20 minutes as the ceremony stalled.DELAYS AND WALK-OFFThe ceremony was delayed by over an hour when Naqvi walked off with the trophy, leaving the champions empty-handed.CROWD BACKLASHIndian fans reacted angrily, chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and repeatedly booing Naqvi.ALTERNATIVE PLANOrganisers arranged for Khalid Al Zarooni, vice-chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, to hand over the trophy instead.FINAL TAKEAWAYThe Naqvi vs India episode became the defining controversy of the final, overshadowing even Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s antics.NAQVI APPOLOGISEDDuring the ACC meeting on September 30, various reports surfaced claiming that Naqvi had apologised to the BCCI for the chaos that unfolded after the Asia Cup final.NAQVI’S BIZARRE CONDITIONNaqvi later claimed he never apologised to the BCCI for the trophy-lifting fiasco. In his outlandish statement, a defiant Naqvi set a bizarre condition: if India “truly” wanted the trophy, they could come to the ACC office to collect it from him.INSTRUCTION FROM NAQVIThe Asia Cup trophy has been locked at the ACC’s Dubai headquarters with instructions that it should not be moved or handed over without the Chairman’s approval.AFRIDI REPLACES RIZWAN AS PAKISTAN ODI CAPTAINIn a major shake-up ahead of Pakistan’s three-match ODI series against South Africa from November 4–8 at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was appointed as ODI captain, replacing wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan. Naqvi faced criticism for frequent captaincy changes, having removed Shaheen earlier in 2024, reinstated Babar Azam, and then appointed Rizwan months ago.BCCI, PCB HEADED FOR SHOWDOWNThe BCCI and PCB are headed for a showdown at next month’s ICC meeting as Naqvi refuses to budge on personally handing over the Asia Cup trophy to India in his capacity as ACC head. In a reply to the BCCI and other ACC member nations, Naqvi insisted he is willing to organise a ceremony on November 10 in Dubai, where a BCCI representative and any available Indian player can collect the trophy.“The ACC trophy rightly belongs to the Indian cricket team and is being held in trust till such time that a BCCI office holder along with any available participating player can collect the same from the ACC President,” Naqvi wrote.“Such collection would of course be accompanied with much fanfare and coverage as there should be no deviation from established practices and no precedent should be set which undermines the spirit of the game we all love.”NAQVI OFFERS TO HAND OVER ASIA CUP TROPHY ON NOV 10Naqvi has offered to organise an event in Dubai on November 10, where the Asia Cup can be officially handed over to the Indian men’s cricket team. The proposal follows a series of exchanges between the ACC and BCCI.CAPTAIN BECOMES ADMINISTRATORShan Masood is set to step down as Pakistan Test captain, announcing his decision a day after losing the second match against South Africa in Rawalpindi. He will soon join the PCB as a consultant for international cricket. The announcement was made by Naqvi.
