Mohsin Naqvi emerged as frontrunner for ICC chairmanship following Jay Shah’s tenure

By Nawaz Gohar ; In what is being described as a potential landmark for Pakistan’s sports diplomacy, sources indicate that Mohsin Naqvi, the current Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is being positioned as a top contender to lead the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Reports suggest that Naqvi could succeed the incumbent Chairman, Jay Shah, serving a term projected to span from 2028 to 2032. Should this development materialize, it would represent a significant achievement for Pakistan’s standing in the global cricketing fraternity.

Analysts suggest that having a Pakistani official at the helm of cricket’s global governing body would not only bolster the country’s international reputation but also significantly enhance Pakistan’s influence in global decision-making processes.

Naqvi, who currently heads the PCB, has been credited with implementing several structural reforms and overseeing pivotal decisions within Pakistan’s domestic and international cricket frameworks.

Cricket circles believe that a Naqvi-led ICC could result in:
Strengthened Asian Cricket: A more robust representation and development strategy for the Asian region.
Enhanced Global Opportunities: Greater advocacy for emerging cricketing nations and streamlined international calendars.
Institutional Reform: Bringing his experience from the PCB to the global stage to address systemic challenges.

While the prospect has generated considerable momentum within sporting circles, it is important to note that no official announcement has been made. The appointment remains subject to the formal electoral process of the ICC Board and requires the consensus of member nations.

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By Nawaz Gohar ;  Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stated that a decision regarding the national team’s participation or non-participation in the T20 World Cup will be made within the next few days.

According to a report by a private TV channel, following key consultations with Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi shared a statement on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He noted that a final announcement regarding the mega-event is expected by Friday or Monday.

Sources indicate that government-level consultations involved a detailed review of Pakistan’s potential course of action. Discussions covered several aspects, including World Cup participation, protest strategies, and the role of the ICC.

Reports suggest that while a decision in principle has been made to participate, proposals for adopting protest measures are also under consideration. According to sources, the suggestion to not play the match against India is being seriously debated. Another option involves the national team wearing black armbands during matches to record their protest. Additionally, there is a proposal to dedicate potential victories to Bangladeshi cricket fans.

By way of background, it is noteworthy that a Bangladeshi player was recently excluded from the IPL, citing security concerns. Consequently, the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to send its team to India, arguing that if the security of a single player cannot be ensured, the safety of the entire team cannot be guaranteed.

However, the ICC displayed a “double standard” by rejecting Bangladesh’s stance and replacing them with Scotland in the tournament. The PCB expressed reservations over this decision, with Chairman Mohsin Naqvi supporting Bangladesh’s principled stance and rejecting the ICC’s conduct.

Meanwhile, the spread of a dangerous virus in India has cast further doubt on the hosting of the T20 World Cup. Cases of the Nipah virus have emerged in West Bengal, affecting five people, including two nurses and a doctor. The patients are reportedly in critical condition.

This virus has begun to spread just weeks before the World Cup’s commencement. Experts warn that if the situation is not contained, it could severely impact event preparations, security arrangements, and team movements. Given these circumstances, Pakistan’s upcoming course of action has gained extraordinary significance, and the cricketing world is now focused on the expected decision from the government and the PCB.

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Lahore, A four-day Match Referees Induction Course conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board concluded at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Saturday afternoon as 46 aspirants participated in it.

The course began on Wednesday, 14 January with ICC Elite Panel Umpire Ahsan Raza and ICC International Panel Match Referee Ali Naqvi working as course instructors.

The participants received thorough lectures on the topics related to the role of match referee across the three formats of the game and they took part in various activities related to course in the first three days before appearing in examination on the last day.

The range of topics in the course included study of the playing conditions, understanding and application of the various clauses of code of conduct, drafting of the on-field and television umpire reports, venue assessment, pre-series/tournament meeting with players and fellow match officials, pitch report, study of bowling actions and Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

Apart from the written exam on the last day, the participants also appeared in the viva voce, which was conducted by the course instructors. Successful candidates will be called up for more trainings later and will be considered for leading the playing control teams in domestic cricket.

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By Nawaz Gohar ; In a landmark development for Pakistan’s sporting economy, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, has revealed that the successful auction of two new franchises will generate a staggering Rs 36 billion in total revenue for the board.

Speaking at a press conference following the bidding process, Naqvi highlighted that this massive financial influx reflects growing international confidence in Pakistan’s investment climate, drawing a parallel to the recent privatization efforts of the national carrier, PIA.

The Chairman emphasized the global appeal of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), noting that five different companies from the United States participated in the bidding process. He introduced the new owners as prominent figures from the Pakistani diaspora: Fawad Sarwar, a US-based entrepreneur who moved abroad 26 years ago and is now the owner of the Hyderabad franchise, and Hamza Majeed, head of OZ Developers, who managed his successful bid for the Sialkot franchise while based in Australia.

The event also saw high-level diplomatic participation, with the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan, Natalie Baker, in attendance. Ms. Baker expressed her pride in seeing American companies invest in Pakistan, stating that such ventures serve as a symbol of strengthening trade and economic ties between the two nations. She extended her congratulations to both Fawad Sarwar and Hamza Majeed, noting that their involvement bridges the gap between Pakistan’s domestic sports industry and the global business community.

The new franchise owners shared their personal motivations and visions for their respective teams. Fawad Sarwar of FKS described the acquisition as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, noting that his participation in the PSL would act as a catalyst for further strengthening Pak-US relations.

Meanwhile, Hamza Majeed of OZ Group expressed his passion for the sport, stating that “cricket runs in his blood.” He remarked that while Sialkot already boasts its own international airport, it now finally has its own PSL team, vowing that his side would be a formidable contender to win the championship in Season 11.

According to Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the Prime Minister of Pakistan and high-ranking officials have expressed their immense satisfaction with the auction’s outcome. The PCB leadership reiterated that this capital would be reinvested back into the sports sector to create better infrastructure and opportunities for the youth, ultimately projecting a positive and vibrant image of Pakistan on the world stage.

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By Nawaz Gohar ; President of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Syed Mohsen Gilani, held a constructive and forward-looking meeting with Federal Interior Minister and Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Syed Mohsin Naqvi, on the sidelines of the PSL Teams Auction 2026, with a commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s sporting landscape through inter-institutional collaboration.

Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhary Salik Hussain was also present during the interaction, which focused on identifying avenues of cooperation between the country’s two major sports bodies.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on sharing best practices in sports governance, institutional reforms, and administrative efficiency. Particular emphasis was placed on infrastructure development, with discussions highlighting the need to optimise existing facilities, develop multi-sport venues, and ensure sustainable use of resources to benefit athletes across disciplines.

Youth development and grassroots engagement emerged as key themes of the dialogue. The leadership stressed the importance of creating structured pathways for young talent, from school and academy levels to professional platforms, enabling wider participation and long-term athlete development. The role of sport in social cohesion, discipline, and youth empowerment was also acknowledged as a national priority.

The meeting further explored capacity-building within sports institutions, including training of administrators, coaches, and technical staff, as well as adopting transparent governance models to enhance credibility and performance at both domestic and international levels.

Both Mohsen Gilani and Mohsin Naqvi reiterated the need for closer coordination between sports federations, noting that collaboration is essential to uplift Pakistan’s overall sports ecosystem. They agreed that cross-sport learning and alignment can help maximise impact, improve athlete welfare, and accelerate progress in underdeveloped areas of sport.

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