Asian Games: Mohsin Naqvi to miss India vs Pakistan men’s cricket final

The India-Pakistan Asian Games final will be played without Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, with the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman missing Saturday’s gold medal match in Japan due to prior commitments.

Naqvi’s decision to stay away comes against the backdrop of an ongoing dispute between him and the BCCI over the awarding of trophies involving Indian teams. The two sides have been at loggerheads since India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophies from Naqvi during the 2025 men’s tournament and the 2026 women’s edition.

ACC confirmed Naqvi’s absence from Finals Day in a post on X.

“ACC President Mr. Mohsin Naqvi will miss the final day at the 2026 Asian Games due to prior commitments, but sends his best wishes to all four teams ahead of the gold and bronze medal matches,” the ACC said.

Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, wished all the four teams competing for medals in Nagoya.

“I wish all the participants the best ahead of the 2026 Asian Games gold and bronze games. Commitments will keep me away from Nagoya. But I will be looking forward to some exciting action,” he said in the post.

India will take on Pakistan for the gold medal in cricket at the Korogi Park in Nisshin on Saturday. Naqvi’s absence means he will not attend the official ceremony should either team win gold.

INDIA’S TROPHY STANDOFF WITH NAQVI

The Indian teams did not receive their Asia Cup trophies from Naqvi during the 2025 men’s tournament and the 2026 women’s edition.

The BCCI requested the ACC to allow Naqvi’s representative to present the trophy, but the request was not accepted. Naqvi, on his part, claimed that if India wanted the Asia Cup trophies, they would have to collect them from him.

The row has raised questions about what would happen if India and Pakistan meet in the final of the Asian Games, especially with Naqvi serving as the head of the continental cricket body.

The Indian men’s and women’s teams have also expressed support for the Indian Defense Forces during the Asia Cup tournaments following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor.

With Naqvi not traveling to Nagoya on Finals Day, the medal ceremony will be overseen by the Olympic Council of Asia, local organizers and the Indian Olympic Association.

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