Tensions Rise Between Mohsin Naqvi and India; Team Sets Example by Maintaining Distance

Dubai: The Under-19 Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan on December 21, 2025, ended in a historic win for Pakistan, but the post-match presentation ceremony sparked controversy once again. The Indian team’s absence during the trophy presentation highlighted the ongoing tension between cricket and politics in the region.

ACC President Mohsin Naqvi presented the trophy and medals to the victorious Pakistani side, but no Indian player was present to accept the runners-up awards—a departure from usual protocol, where both winning and losing teams participate. In India’s absence, Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Mirwais Ashraf accepted the cheque on behalf of the runners-up.

Mohsin Naqvi’s Dual Role
This is not the first time India has refused to accept awards from Naqvi. During the senior Asia Cup, the Indian team also opted out of receiving honours from him. The core issue lies in Naqvi’s multiple roles: he is simultaneously the ACC and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president, as well as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. This overlapping political and administrative authority has long been a point of contention between the BCCI and Naqvi. ICC meetings have also addressed this matter, but no concrete resolution has yet emerged.

Drama at the Ceremony
The presentation ceremony itself was marked by delays, with the Pakistani team arriving over an hour late. Naqvi eventually departed with the trophy for the ACC headquarters in Dubai. Despite not receiving the official awards, the Indian players maintained their spirits, celebrating with the championship banner. Indian captain playfully mimicked lifting an imaginary trophy, recreating Rohit Sharma’s famous walk from the 2024 T20 World Cup final—a moment that quickly went viral.

Bridging Cricket and Politics
This incident underscores the influence of political tensions on sports. BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia had previously indicated efforts to resolve the deadlock, but the Dubai episode makes clear that the issue remains unresolved. Naqvi’s concurrent positions raise questions about the neutrality and diplomacy of cricket administration. Nonetheless, the gesture of Afghanistan’s board accepting the cheque suggests that some administrative relationships continue to function. Normalising cricketing ties between India and Pakistan will require further diplomatic effort and sustained engagement.