Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has added fuel to the already full-blown controversy with a cryptic social media post about a “balancing act” ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final against India.
Mohsin Naqvi has indirectly targeted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after the International Cricket Council (ICC) declared its verdict on the Asia Cup 2025 controversies. Naqvi’s cryptic post comes amid rising tensions between the BCCI and PCB.
“Balancing Act” post by Mohsin Naqvi adds drama to Asia Cup 2025 Final
On Saturday, September 27, Mohsin Naqvi posted on X: “How much time do you need to explain the reasons behind the balancing act?” This post left fans and experts speculating about its timing and intended target ahead of the India-Pakistan encounter on Sunday, September 28, in Dubai.
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Recently, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was slapped with a heavy fine by the ICC after Pakistan complained about his on-field act. Suryakumar had dedicated the Men in Blue’s seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the group match to the Indian armed forces and the Pahalgam terror victims.
Read Also: PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi steps in ICC’s way after Haris Rauf’s 30 percent match fee deduction
Suryakumar Yadav, Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan punished by the ICC
The ICC deemed the statement a breach of conduct and handed the Indian captain 30 percent of his match fee. Meanwhile, the BCCI had also filed complaints against Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf and batter Sahibzada Farhan for provocative on-field gestures during the Super Four clash.
Rauf made a “6-0” and an aircraft being shot down gesture towards Indian fans, while Farhan celebrated a fifty with a gun-firing-in-the-air gesture against India in Dubai on September 21. The ICC has fined Rauf 30% of his match fee and issued a strict warning to Farhan.
Adding another twist, it is being said that Mohsin Naqvi offered to cover Haris Rauf’s fine personally, keeping tensions at an all-time high. With emotions running strong and controversy swirling, fans are set for another dramatic encounter between the two teams in the Asia Cup 2025 final.
Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf to pose serious threat to India on potential seam-friendly wicket in Asia Cup 2025 Final
Meanwhile, the Dubai pitch is expected to be a key factor in the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan. The India-Sri Lanka Super Four clash had a surface perfect for big hitting, but the wicket for the blockbuster final is expected to offer a balance between bat and ball.
Read Also: Asia Cup organizers block PCB’s attempt to recall Babar Azam before India clash
So far, the continental tournament has seen little of the traditional early-overs swing that Dubai is known for. Only in the matches against Bangladesh did the ball move slightly in the powerplay.
If conditions tilt even slightly in favor of seamers on Sunday, Shaheen Afridi could pose a serious challenge to India’s explosive top order, with his left-arm pace and accuracy making every delivery a threat. India will also need to stay alert against Haris Rauf in the summit clash.
High heat and minimal dew to make toss crucial
On the other hand, the weather in Dubai is set to be scorching on Sunday, with temperatures reaching a high of 40°C during the day and cooling down to around 31°C by evening. Dew has hardly affected matches so far in the tournament, so the toss could become a key factor in deciding how each team approaches the game.
