Naqvi to miss Asian Games cricket finals

LAHORE: Asian Cricket Council President Mohsin Naqvi will not attend the cricket Finals Day at the Asian Games 2026, the ACC has confirmed, removing the possibility of a fresh presentation-ceremony controversy ahead of the men’s gold-medal match between Pakistan and India.

In an official statement, the ACC said Naqvi would be unavailable because of prior commitments and extended best wishes to all four teams contesting the gold and bronze medal matches.

“ACC President, Mohsin Naqvi, will miss Finals Day at Asian Games 2026 due to prior commitments, but sends his very best wishes to all four teams ahead of the Gold and Bronze Medal Matches,” the ACC said.

The bronze-medal fixture between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be followed by the high-profile Pakistan-India men’s cricket final. Naqvi, who is also chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said that commitments would keep him away from Nagoya but that he was looking forward to the action.

Naqvi’s absence is drawing particular attention because of earlier presentation-ceremony disputes involving Indian teams and the ACC president. During the recent Women’s Asia Cup, India’s women’s team did not come forward to receive the trophy from Naqvi after winning the title.