NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman, following their five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. According to reports, the BCCI had informed the ACC in advance that the team would not receive the trophy from Naqvi due to his strong anti-India stance.The incident unfolded nearly 90 minutes after India’s triumph, with players celebrating on the field alongside their families — including captain Suryakumar Yadav’s wife and head coach Gautam Gambhir’s family. Naqvi, along with officials from the ACC and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), waited on stage to present the trophy, but the Indian team continued its tournament-long policy of avoiding handshakes with Pakistan.
Who is Mohsin Naqvi ?
Born in Lahore on October 28, 1978, Naqvi studied at Crescent Model Higher Secondary School and Government College University, before pursuing journalism at Ohio University in the United States. He began his career with an internship at CNN before founding the City Media Group in Pakistan.Naqvi was appointed to the PCB governing board by caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar on January 22, 2024, and was later elected unopposed as the 37th PCB chairman on February 6, 2024. His elevation drew criticism, as he had previously served as caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab and lacked a professional cricketing background.Married to Warda Ashraf, daughter of the late SSP Ashraf Marth and niece of former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, Naqvi is connected to one of Pakistan’s most influential political families. The couple has four children — three daughters and one son.
