The Man at the Center of the Storm
Mohsin Naqvi is a prominent figure in Pakistan, holding the dual roles of Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the country's Interior Minister. His influence extends across Asian cricket, as he is also the President of the Asian Cricket Council
(ACC), the body that organises the Asia Cup. It is this powerful combination of sporting and political authority that placed him at the heart of a significant controversy during the Men's Asia Cup in 2025, and why his presence at the upcoming women's final is under such scrutiny.
A Look Back at the 2025 Final Fiasco
The controversy traces back to the Men's Asia Cup final on September 28, 2025, where India defeated Pakistan. The post-match presentation was delayed by over an hour amid a tense standoff. The Indian team refused to accept the championship trophy from Naqvi. The refusal was seen as a protest against Naqvi presenting the trophy, given his role as a senior minister in the Pakistani government and a tense political backdrop following a terror attack. The situation escalated, resulting in the Indian team celebrating on the podium without the physical trophy, which Naqvi eventually left the stadium with. To this day, that trophy has not been formally handed over to India and remains at the ACC headquarters.
Why It Became a Major Talking Point
The incident sparked a firestorm of debate. For many fans and critics, the issue was about keeping politics out of sport. The Indian team reportedly asked for the trophy to be presented by a neutral official from the Emirates Cricket Board, a request that was denied. The subsequent images of Indian players lifting an 'imaginary' trophy became a symbol of the bizarre standoff. The BCCI raised strong objections in an ACC meeting, with the entire episode casting a shadow over the tournament's conclusion. The ACC later expressed 'regret' over the incident, acknowledging that the situation could have been avoided.
Setting the Scene for the Women's Final
Now, attention turns to the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 final in Dubai, scheduled for September 13. India, as one of the tournament favourites, has already secured a spot in the semi-finals and has a strong chance of reaching the title clash. Reports confirm that Mohsin Naqvi is expected to attend the final as the chief guest for the closing ceremony. By virtue of his position as ACC President, he holds the protocol-driven right to present the trophy to the winning captain. This sets up a potential repeat of the 2025 scenario if Harmanpreet Kaur's team goes on to win the championship.
Will History Repeat Itself in Dubai?
The critical question is what happens if India wins. The decision on whether to accept the trophy from Naqvi will ultimately rest with the Indian team and the BCCI, who have so far remained silent on their potential course of action. The 2025 incident has created a precedent, and all eyes will be watching to see if a different approach is taken this time. Will there be a behind-the-scenes arrangement for a neutral presenter? Or will the sporting world witness another awkward and politically charged trophy ceremony? The focus, which should be squarely on the athletes and their performance, is once again at risk of being shared with off-field administrative drama.
