Mohsin Naqvi makes stance clear
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi declared that Pakistan would no longer beg India for bilateral cricket talks ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.
Ahead of the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 on September 14 in Dubai, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi has taken a strong stand on bilateral cricket with India. Speaking to the media, Naqvi made it clear that Pakistan will not beg their neighbours for negotiations.
The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have long been influenced by political tensions. Since 2012, both teams have only faced each other in neutral-venue, multi-nation events such as the World Cup, Asia Cup, and Champions Trophy. While fans and broadcasters continue to push for a bilateral series, neither government nor the cricket boards have approved such plans.
Earlier this month, the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports reiterated its position on the matter, stating that India would not engage in bilateral cricket with Pakistan but would continue to participate in multi-nation tournaments.
“In so far as bilateral sports events in each other’s country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India. With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons. It is also relevant to take into account India’s emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events. Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India,” the ministry’s statement read.
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Naqvi, while addressing reporters in Lahore, emphasized PCB’s approach toward future negotiations. “I think we are very clear that whenever talks are held will be on an equal footing with India and there will be no more begging for negotiations. That time has passed and whatever will happen will be on the basis of equality,” Naqvi said.
The dispute between the two boards has also spilled into tournament hosting rights. Although Pakistan was awarded the hosting rights for the Asia Cup 2025, all fixtures were moved to the UAE after India declined to travel across the border. Earlier this year, a similar situation unfolded during the ICC Champions Trophy, where India’s matches were shifted to Dubai under a “hybrid model.”
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Last Updated on August 25, 2025
