To Save Cricket: PCB Chief’s Explanation Brings New Twist to India–Pakistan Controversy

The tension surrounding the India–Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup shows no signs of easing. From the handshake controversy to post-match reactions, cricketing ties between the two nations have once again become a major talking point. Finally, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi broke his silence, saying that a boycott would have harmed cricket most of all.

At a press conference in Dubai, Naqvi revealed that Pakistan’s camp went into deep crisis after the September 14 match. Anger mounted over the absence of handshakes with Indian players and the role of match referee Andy Pycroft. Naqvi stated that while a formal request was made to the ICC for an investigation, there was no response. However, when Pycroft apologized to the Pakistan captain and team management, the situation eased somewhat.

“This was indeed a major decision,” Naqvi said. “We could have boycotted easily, but cricket would have suffered greatly. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the government closely monitored the issue. We all consulted together, and ultimately it seemed right to let the game continue.”

Former chairmen Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi were also part of the discussions. Sethi added, “The PCB has always wanted to keep politics away from cricket. An apology was received, and that is what matters most. Cricket is the true winner here.”

But the controversy refuses to die down. Especially after Indian captain Suryakumar dedicated his team’s victory over Pakistan to the soldiers, criticism flared up even more. Subsequent incidents only fueled the fire — the absence of handshakes after the match, India keeping their dressing room off-limits to journalists and officials, and other small issues that sparked larger debates.

As a result, this year’s Asia Cup has gone far beyond the boundaries of the playing field. Off-field factors are heavily influencing the tournament — blending cricketing passion with political and diplomatic tensions between the two nations. In many ways, the tournament has become an invisible battlefield of its own.