Ahead of the much-anticipated India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash on September 14 in Dubai, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi has broken his silence on cricket negotiations with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), emphasising that Pakistan will not beg its neighbours for bilateral cricket.
Political tensions have had a significant impact on India and Pakistan’s cricket relationship. Since 2012, both teams have only met in neutral-venue multi-nation tournaments such as the World Cups, Asia Cup, and Champions Trophy. While fans and broadcasters continue to push for a full-fledged bilateral series, governments and cricket bodies have yet to approve it.
The Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced earlier this month that the country will not engage in any bilateral cricket series with Pakistan, but will continue to compete in multi-nation events.
“In so far as bilateral sports events in each other’s country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India. With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons.
It is also relevant to take into account India’s emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events. Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India,” the ministry’s statement said.
Conflict between two boards extends to tournament hosting rights
Addressing the media in Lahore just days before the Asia Cup, Mohsin Naqvi spoke about PCB’s approach toward future negotiations.
“I think we are very clear that whenever talks are held will be on an equal footing with India and there will be no more begging for negotiations. That time has passed and whatever will happen will be on the basis of equality,” Naqvi said.
The conflict between the two boards has also extended to tournament hosting rights. Despite being awarded hosting rights for the Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan’s matches were shifted to the UAE after India refused to travel across the border. Earlier this year, a similar situation took place for the ICC Champions Trophy, where India’s fixtures were also relocated to Dubai under a “hybrid model.”
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