The world of cricket rarely lacks drama, but the 2025 Asia Cup and its aftermath have delivered a level of intrigue that even seasoned observers find remarkable. As the dust settles, Pakistan cricket finds itself at a crossroads, with leadership questions, diplomatic tensions, and management shakeups all swirling around the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its embattled chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.
Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan captain and one of the sport’s most outspoken voices, didn’t mince words this week. In an interview with Telecom Asia Sport, Afridi urged Mohsin Naqvi to relinquish one of his two high-profile roles—either as PCB chairman or as Pakistan’s Minister of Interior. "My request or advice to Naqvi Saheb is that these are two very important posts, and they are big jobs that need time. PCB is totally different from the Interior Ministry, so it must be kept separate," Afridi declared. He stressed that Pakistan cricket, beset by recent struggles, needs focused leadership. "It would be a big decision and should be taken as soon as possible. Pakistan cricket needs special attention and time… Naqvi cannot rely totally on advisers. These advisers are taking him nowhere and he himself says that he doesn't know much about cricket. He needs to appoint good and competent advisers who know about the game."
Naqvi’s time as PCB chairman, a post he’s held since 2024, has been anything but smooth sailing. The national team’s performance has wavered, with disappointing home Test results, an underwhelming showing at the 2025 Champions Trophy, and a turbulent Asia Cup run. Even with the arrival of new coach Mike Hesson, whose influence has been credited with some improvement, Pakistan’s 2025 Asia Cup campaign was marred by inconsistency—highlighted by three losses to archrivals India.
The Asia Cup itself became a flashpoint for controversy, both on and off the field. The most explosive incident unfolded during the Pakistan–India clash on September 14 in Dubai. Match referee Andy Pycroft instructed both captains to forgo the traditional handshake at the toss, a move that immediately set tongues wagging. The tension only escalated. After India’s seven-wicket victory, their captain Suryakumar Yadav led his squad straight to the dressing room, leaving Pakistan’s players waiting for a post-match handshake that never came. The Pakistani side, stung by what they saw as a breach of cricketing etiquette, responded by boycotting the closing ceremony. Team captain Salman Ali Agha declined an interview with the Indian presenter, and Shaheen Shah Afridi accepted the “Most Sixes Award” only after being urged by team officials, including Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla.
The PCB did not take the snub lightly. It filed formal complaints with both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), arguing that Pycroft’s directive violated both the ICC Code of Conduct and MCC laws. Pycroft subsequently apologized to the Pakistan players for his role in the handshake debacle. Yet, the PCB’s internal response was less forgiving. Frustrated by a delay in lodging the official protest—a lapse attributed to Wahla—PCB Chairman Naqvi suspended him from his post. No action was taken against team manager Naveed Akram Cheema, but Wahla found himself sidelined at a critical juncture.
Fast-forward to this week, and the PCB has reversed course. Usman Wahla has been reinstated as Director of International Cricket, attending a departmental heads’ meeting in Lahore to plan for the upcoming series against South Africa. The move signals a desire for stability and continuity as Pakistan navigates a crucial phase in its cricketing calendar. Wahla’s return suggests the board is prioritizing experience, even as it grapples with internal management challenges and heightened regional tensions.
But the Asia Cup’s controversies didn’t end with the handshake. The final, in which India defeated Pakistan, saw another diplomatic standoff. During the trophy presentation, Indian players refused to accept the silverware from ACC president and PCB Chairman Naqvi, citing his prior anti-India positions. In an unprecedented move, Naqvi left the stadium with the trophy, leaving it in the custody of ACC officials in Dubai. The matter resurfaced at a subsequent ACC meeting, where BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla insisted that the trophy be sent directly to India. Naqvi, standing firm, countered that the Indian captain must collect it personally from the ACC headquarters.
The fallout has exposed deep divisions within the Asian Cricket Council. Pakistan and Bangladesh have found themselves aligned on one side, with India and Sri Lanka on the other, and Afghanistan shifting between camps. Reports have even emerged of a possible no-confidence motion against Naqvi, underscoring just how contentious his leadership has become. Naqvi’s own response has been combative. In a recent post on X, he wrote, “Indian media thrives on lies, not facts. Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologised to the BCCI nor will I ever do so. This fabricated nonsense is nothing but cheap propaganda, aimed only at misleading their own people. Unfortunately, India continues to drag politics into cricket, damaging the very spirit of the game.”
For Pakistan cricket fans, the off-field drama has at times overshadowed the team’s on-field efforts. Despite flashes of promise under coach Mike Hesson, the national side’s Asia Cup journey was defined by inconsistency, with victories quickly forgotten in the wake of three stinging defeats to India. The question of leadership—whether Naqvi can effectively manage both his PCB and Interior Ministry responsibilities—now looms large. Afridi’s call for Naqvi to step aside from one role has resonated widely, especially as the PCB faces a season packed with high-stakes fixtures and the pressure to restore pride to Pakistan cricket.
Meanwhile, the PCB’s decision to reinstate Wahla ahead of the South Africa series is being read as a pragmatic move. With so much in flux, the board appears to be banking on experience and internal cohesion to weather the storm. Yet, the Asia Cup’s lingering controversies—over handshakes, trophy presentations, and fractured alliances—continue to cast a long shadow. As the South Africa series approaches, all eyes will be on the PCB’s leadership, both on and off the field.
For now, the situation remains dynamic. With Afridi’s pointed remarks echoing across the cricketing world and the PCB’s management under intense scrutiny, the stakes for Pakistan cricket have rarely felt higher. How the board navigates these choppy waters in the coming months could define not only the next season, but the very future of the sport in the country.