NEW DELHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has laid out a bold vision for the future of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), saying he intends to elevate it to the world’s top franchise cricket tournament. Calling the target realistic rather than optimistic, Naqvi said the task was “not easy”, especially given the depth of cricketing talent and passion in Pakistan.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!During the PSL Roadshow at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, Naqvi shared the stage with former Pakistan captains Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja, while PSL CEO Salman Naseer moderated the conversation. The aim of the event was to showcase the PSL brand and engage global cricket stakeholders ahead of future seasons.
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When asked to define his long-term plan, Naqvi responded with a confident statement of intent. “The vision is simple, to make PSL the top league in the world. With people like Ramiz and Wasim standing beside us, I am confident that it is absolutely achievable,” he said.However, the statement drew widespread derision from Indian cricket fans online, many of whom referred to Naqvi’s controversial handling of the presentation of the Asia Cup trophy when India defeated Pakistan in the final. Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), got the trophy back after India refused to take it directly from him, sparking diplomatic tensions between the cricket boards.In a positive development, both sides now appear to be moving towards a solution. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the talks started during the recent ICC sessions in Dubai.“I was part of the informal as well as the formal ICC meeting. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was also present. It was not on the agenda during the formal meeting, but the ICC arranged a meeting between me and the PCB chief separately in the presence of a senior ICC official and another senior official,” Saikia told PTI.He added that the discussions were respectful and productive.“It was really good to start the negotiation process. Both sides participated wholeheartedly in the meeting held on the sidelines of the ICC board meeting,” he said, expressing optimism that the matter would be resolved soon.With the trophy currently housed at the ACC headquarters in Dubai and movement restricted at Naqvi’s behest, the matter remains symbolic but sensitive.“Both sides will work out something to resolve the issue as soon as possible. The ice has now been broken,” Saikia added.
