The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) head Mohsin Naqvi is all set to face heat and possibly ouster from his top position at the high-profile quarterly meetings of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dubai.
A political storm is all set to erupt at the ICC’s crucial quarterly meetings in Dubai. The main agendas are likely to be the Asia Cup 2025 trophy drama, the deepening crisis within USA Cricket, and the fierce standoff between the ICC and the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) over player-image rights.
Jay Shah set to decide Mohsin Naqvi’s fate in ICC meetings
The series of high-stakes meetings will kick off with the ICC Chief Executives’ gathering on November 5, followed by the all-important Board meeting on November 7, where global cricket chiefs, including the ICC chairman Jay Shah, are expected to decide the fate of several issues.
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However, the Asia Cup controversy isn’t officially listed on the agenda, but it is now confirmed that it will dominate informal talks and could even trigger a major shake-up within the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
India clinched the Asia Cup title after defeating Pakistan in a tense final but refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as 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 side. Since the final, the trophy has been locked away in an ACC office in the UAE.
Mohsin Naqvi’s stance on the Asia Cup trophy lands him in trouble
Mohsin Naqvi reportedly insisted that only he has the authority to hand it over, and that has infuriated BCCI officials. Sources close to the ICC have hinted that the controversy could lead to Naqvi’s removal as ACC head, with several board members calling for an impeachment-style motion.
The move has already been “scripted” behind closed doors, and the final decision could be formalized in Dubai, with Jay Shah expected to sign the official order once approved by the board.
The India–Pakistan rivalry has spilled far beyond the field this year, with relations between the BCCI and PCB reflecting political hostility between their governments.
The Asia Cup itself was marred by heated moments, including a no-handshake policy and political gestures from four players: Haris Rauf, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Sahibzada Farhan.
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ICC board members want to improve India–Pakistan relations
Naqvi’s dual role in politics and cricket has complicated matters further. With uncertainty over whether the ACC head will attend the ICC meetings in Dubai in person or join virtually, as the rumors of his ouster from his position have only grown louder.
Behind the scenes, cricket administrators are pushing for a reset in India–Pakistan relations, not only for diplomacy but also for the massive commercial impact their rivalry brings to global cricket. The coming days in Dubai are expected to decide power dynamics in Asian cricket.
