The upcoming ICC Meeting Ahmedabad is drawing major attention not only because of its importance to global cricket administration, but also due to the uncertainty surrounding the possible visit of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi to India.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is scheduled to hold a series of high-level meetings in Ahmedabad during the final phase of IPL 2026. While the cricketing world expects discussions on international scheduling, governance, and tournament planning, the spotlight has shifted toward India-Pakistan cricket relations and an unresolved Asia Cup trophy controversy that continues to create tension between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the PCB.
ICC to Hold Key Meetings in Ahmedabad
According to officials familiar with the schedule, the ICC Chief Executives Committee (CEC) meeting will take place virtually on May 21. This will be followed by the ICC Board Meeting on May 30 and 31 in Ahmedabad, where top cricket administrators from across the world are expected to participate.
The ICC Meeting Ahmedabad comes at a time when cricket diplomacy between India and Pakistan remains fragile. Because of the political sensitivity between the two nations, every interaction between the BCCI and PCB often attracts significant public and media attention.
One of the biggest questions ahead of the meeting is whether PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi will travel to India in person or attend virtually. Traditionally, PCB chiefs have participated physically in ICC Board meetings, but the current political climate has made the situation less predictable.
Mohsin Naqvi’s Presence Remains Uncertain
Mohsin Naqvi has been at the center of several controversies since taking charge of the Pakistan Cricket Board. His possible participation in the ICC Meeting Ahmedabad has become a talking point because of strained cricketing relations and the unresolved dispute linked to the Asia Cup trophy presentation.
Sources close to cricket administration circles suggest that no official confirmation has yet been made regarding Naqvi’s travel plans. Security concerns, diplomatic protocols, and the overall political environment are believed to be key factors influencing the decision.
If Naqvi attends the meeting in person, it would mark a rare high-profile visit by a senior Pakistani cricket official to India in recent years.
Asia Cup Trophy Controversy Still Unresolved
The tension between the BCCI and PCB intensified after last year’s Asia Cup final controversy. India won the tournament, but the post-match presentation ceremony became the subject of widespread debate across cricket circles.
Reports claimed that the winning trophy and medals were not formally handed over to the Indian team by ACC president Mohsin Naqvi after India secured the title. It was later alleged that the trophy remained in Naqvi’s Dubai office instead of being transferred to the champions.
The incident reportedly upset several BCCI officials, who believed the winning side should have immediately received the trophy as per standard cricket protocol.
The disagreement became even more controversial after reports emerged that Naqvi refused to apologize and instead suggested that the Indian team could collect the trophy from Dubai. Although the matter was expected to be raised before the ICC, there has been no public resolution so far.
With the ICC Meeting Ahmedabad approaching, the issue is once again under discussion.
What Happened During the Asia Cup Final Presentation?
The controversy dates back to the Asia Cup final played between India and Pakistan on September 28. India secured a thrilling five-wicket victory in a closely contested match that went down to the final overs.
After the match ended, Indian players, support staff, and family members came onto the field to celebrate the title victory. Meanwhile, officials from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) were preparing the presentation stage.
However, according to reports, the presentation ceremony was delayed for more than an hour. During that time, Mohsin Naqvi was reportedly seen in discussions with several officials on the ground.
Soon after, confusion increased when an ACC official allegedly removed the trophy from the stage without making any public announcement.
Indian players later came onto the stage to collect individual awards such as Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament, but the ceremony reportedly lacked the traditional trophy handover moment expected after a major final.
Former New Zealand all-rounder Simon Doull, who was presenting the ceremony, later stated that he had been informed the Indian team would not come forward to collect the trophy. Eventually, India celebrated the victory without the trophy presentation taking place in the usual manner.
The incident triggered strong reactions from both Indian and Pakistani cricket followers on social media and added further strain to already tense cricket relations.
BCCI Expected to Raise the Matter Again
Reports indicate that BCCI officials are preparing to formally raise the Asia Cup trophy matter during ICC discussions. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has reportedly maintained that the trophy rightfully belongs to the tournament winners and should be handed over to India without further delay.
The board believes that such disputes damage the image of international cricket administration and create unnecessary political controversy around sporting events.
Whether the issue will become part of official ICC discussions during the ICC Meeting Ahmedabad remains unclear, but the controversy is unlikely to disappear quietly.
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Mohsin Naqvi’s Political Rise and PCB Appointment
Another aspect drawing attention is Mohsin Naqvi’s non-cricketing background. Unlike many former cricket administrators who had experience in the sport, Naqvi rose to prominence largely through journalism and politics.
Pakistan’s cricket administration has frequently faced criticism over government involvement in PCB affairs. Several former Pakistani cricketers have openly argued that political influence often plays a major role in leadership appointments.
Naqvi’s appointment as PCB chairman in early 2024 was also surrounded by political developments. Former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf reportedly stepped down before completing his term after disagreements linked to the board’s governance process.
Following Ashraf’s resignation, Naqvi emerged as the preferred candidate of the then caretaker government led by Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar. He was eventually elected without opposition.
Critics in Pakistan have since questioned whether political leadership changes within the country continue to influence cricket administration decisions.
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India-Pakistan Cricket Relations Remain Sensitive
Cricket ties between India and Pakistan have remained limited for more than a decade. Since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the Indian cricket team has not toured Pakistan for bilateral cricket.
Matches between the two countries are generally played only in ICC tournaments or multi-nation competitions such as the Asia Cup, often at neutral venues like Dubai or Sri Lanka.
Because of this background, even routine cricket administration meetings can become politically sensitive events.
The ICC Meeting Ahmedabad therefore carries significance beyond ordinary cricket governance. Apart from discussions related to international cricket operations, the meeting may also become an important moment in the continuing relationship between two of the sport’s biggest rivals.
As of now, all eyes remain on whether Mohsin Naqvi will travel to India and whether the long-running Asia Cup trophy controversy will finally move toward a resolution.
