NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has significantly ratcheted up tensions leading into the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final against India. Scheduled for Sunday, September 28, at the iconic Dubai International Cricket Stadium, this match promises to be more than just a game of cricket.
Reports emerging from Pakistani media suggest that PCB and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has granted Pakistan’s national team an unprecedented level of freedom. Players have allegedly been told they can adopt an aggressive approach against their Indian counterparts, both during and after the final, with Naqvi reportedly assuring them that the board would handle any fallout.
This controversial directive comes in the wake of several heated exchanges during previous encounters, notably the Super Four clash. During that match, Pakistani players like Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Sahibzada Farhan were criticized for their conduct towards Indian players.
While Rauf and Farhan faced fines and warnings from the ICC for their gestures, recent reports indicate a stark shift in the PCB’s stance. It now appears the board is fully backing its players, thereby significantly raising the stakes for the upcoming final. Pakistani journalist Qadir Khawaja notably quoted Naqvi stating, “Do whatever you want; I’ll handle it.”
Naqvi’s personal presence at the final adds another layer of intrigue. As the ACC chairman, he is expected to preside over the post-match trophy presentation, a ceremony that traditionally involves handshakes between both teams. While a board chief attending such a pivotal match is standard practice, Naqvi’s dual role as PCB head and his previous outspoken criticisms of India could lead to significant controversy.
The Indian team, known for its firm “No Handshake” policy with Pakistan, is widely expected to avoid engaging with Naqvi during the presentation. The BCCI, however, has yet to issue any public clarification on its official stance regarding this.
This isn’t the first time Naqvi has fueled disputes during the tournament. He previously pressured the PCB to accuse match referee Andy Pycroft of restricting pleasantries after India’s September 14 game – a claim subsequently rejected by the ICC. Furthermore, he reportedly pushed for a Level 4 charge and a ban on India skipper Suryakumar Yadav after Yadav dedicated India’s victory to the nation’s armed forces and expressed solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Adding to the simmering tension, Naqvi has also posted cryptic videos on X (formerly Twitter). One particular video, a Cristiano Ronaldo goal celebration depicting a plane crash, eerily mirrored gestures made by Haris Rauf during India’s September 21 game, which had resulted in fines for the player.
With tensions reaching an all-time high, the Asia Cup 2025 final is poised to be far more than just a cricket match. The presence of Mohsin Naqvi, combined with the PCB’s vocal support for aggressive play, guarantees that both on-field drama and off-field administrative confrontations will dominate headlines in this eagerly anticipated clash. Fans are not just waiting for the cricketing battle, but also the unfolding political and administrative showdown between the two rival boards.