‘Are they living in the past?’: Former India cricketer slams Mohsin Naqvi after Asia Cup trophy rejection

India’s Women’s Asia Cup triumph in Dubai was overshadowed by another awkward trophy presentation involving Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi as the champions again refused to collect the silverware from the Pakistan Cricket Board chief.India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final on Sunday to win the title, but the post-match ceremony was held amid a stalemate. Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, stayed put but the Indian players were unwilling to accept the trophy from him.The episode was strikingly similar to last year’s men’s Asia Cup final, when the victorious India team also refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi. The replay again highlighted his dual role as a senior cricket administrator and a prominent figure in the Pakistan government.

Mohammad Kaif questions Naqvi’s dual responsibility

Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif questioned whether Naqvi can pay enough attention to the administration of cricket while handling major political responsibilities.“Are they living in the past? Don’t they have a reality check? Mohsin Naqvi is in politics. He is the head of the board. It’s not like that,” Kaif said on Cricbuzz.“If you play cricket, then you have to be in cricket. You have to go to two places. It’s a difficult job. You won’t be able to give time. 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. When you look at any body, when you do it from two things, or you look at it from the outside.”Naqvi’s responsibility goes beyond the PCB. As ACC president, PCB chairman and Pakistan’s home minister, he holds influential positions in cricket and government, making his presence at major India-Pakistan cricket events particularly sensitive.Kaif believes that leading a cricket board requires a level of focus that can be difficult to secure when holding another high-profile position.“You are either a politician or you are a cricketer. You have to balance it. You have to focus on one thing,” he said.Kaif also dismissed the idea that Pakistan’s cricketing problems stemmed from a lack of talented players.According to the former India international, Pakistan continues to have considerable natural ability but needs a better system and the right people to turn that talent into successful professional cricketers.“Players are not bad. You need people who make players. There is a lot of talent in Pakistan,” he added.The latest controversy ensured that India’s women’s Asia Cup victory over Sri Lanka will be remembered by more than 72 runs. Instead of the routine celebration of the trophy, the final ended again with an unresolved presentation with Naqvi.With a similar situation unfolding in the men’s Asia Cup final last year, questions about Naqvi’s role at the intersection of cricket administration and politics are likely to remain part of the conversation.