India defeated Sri Lanka to win their record-extending eighth Asia Cup trophy. But what was supposed to be celebrated turned into controversy and drama. Mohsin Naqvi, who was already informed, as per reports, that the Indian team would not accept the trophy from him, still went on the stage to present the award.
India refused to accept the trophy from him and celebrated the victory on the sidelines while Naqvi waited on the podium before he abruptly left. This has everyone’s attention, including a former cricketer, who has criticised him over his dual roles.
Ex-cricketer blasts at Mohsin Naqvi over dual roles in politics and cricket: ‘don’t they have a reality check?’
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has sharply criticised Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Naqvi, arguing that no one can effectively manage high-level political duties alongside running a cricket board.
In comments on Cricbuzz, Kaif questioned whether those involved were “living in the past” and lacked a “reality check.” He said Naqvi’s political commitments made it impossible to give cricket the required attention. He added:
“If you are in cricket, then you have to be in cricket.”
Kaif continued:
“You have so many political commitments. You have to run the cricket board. You have to see what’s going on inside. You have to stop at one place and invest time. … Either you are a politician, or you are a cricketer. You have to focus on one thing.”
Naqvi has held the PCB chairmanship since February 2024 while serving as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and, more recently, as president of the Asian Cricket Council. His dual (and at times triple) roles have drawn periodic scrutiny amid Pakistan’s mixed results on the field and administrative challenges.
ALSO READ: Seven former Australian captains urge humanitarian action over Imran Khan’s detention: 'he will die…’