Mohsin Naqvi to miss India vs Pakistan men's cricket final at Asian Games
Mohsin Naqvi will not attend the India v Pakistan men's cricket final at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Saturday, the Asian Cricket Council confirmed in a post on X, saying prior commitments will keep the ACC president away from Finals Day. Naqvi also serves as Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and will not be present for the gold-medal clash at Korogi Park in Nisshin City.
The absence comes amid a continuing dispute between Naqvi and the Board of Control for Cricket in India over trophy presentations to Indian teams. India refused to accept Asia Cup trophies from Naqvi during the 2025 men's tournament and the 2026 women's edition; the BCCI had asked the ACC to allow Naqvi's deputy to present the trophy, a request the ACC did not accept. Naqvi has publicly said that "if India wants the Asia Cup trophies, they will have to collect them from him." The stand-off has been a recurring issue between the two sides.
The ACC posted: "ACC President, Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, will miss Finals Day at Asian Games 2026 due to prior commitments, but sends his very best wishes to all four teams ahead of the Gold and Bronze Medal Matches." The same post quoted Naqvi: "Wishing all the participants the very best ahead of gold and bronze medal matches at the Asian Games 2026. Commitments will keep me away from Nagoya. But I will be looking forward to some thrilling action," and noted his best wishes to the four teams competing for medals in Nagoya. The ACC confirmation was posted on X.
India and Pakistan will meet for the men's cricket gold at Korogi Park in Nisshin City on Saturday. Naqvi's decision not to travel means he will not take part in the official presentation ceremony should either side win the gold medal. Observers had questioned how the presentation would be handled if India and Pakistan faced off in the final while Naqvi served as head of the continental cricket body.
Indian men's and women's teams had expressed support for the Indian defence forces during the Asia Cup tournaments following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 and the subsequent Operation Sindoor, a matter referenced during the wider tensions between the teams and Naqvi. Those expressions of support were recorded during the Asia Cup events cited in the dispute.
The Olympic Council of Asia, local organisers and the Indian Olympic Association will oversee the medal ceremony on Finals Day, covering both the gold and bronze medal matches.
