Mohsin Naqvi, born on October 28, 1978, in Lahore, Pakistan, is a varied individual known for his roles in journalism, politics, and sports administration. He is presently serving as the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), and the Interior Minister of Pakistan. Naqvi's career began in journalism, where he gained recognition as a media entrepreneur.
He established City News Group, a media company in Pakistan, and has been a part of multiple media projects. As a result of his move to politics, he was given the role of the Interior Minister in 2024, a job he shares with his other capacities. In February 2024, Naqvi got the nod to be the PCB Chairman, a seat that has been debated because of his short history in cricket administration.
During the 2025 Asia Cup several issues were brought to light concerning Naqvis's leadership when the India Team in an apparent protest against his political background, refused to take the trophy from his hands. This event was just a glimpse of the period when Naqvi's complex career and the difficulties of juggling politics and sports would come to the forefront. For some time, he ruled with a mix of controversies, but Naqvi is still the political and sports leader whose decisions have a ripple effect in the two domains.
His tenure has been marked by fundamental challenges, including criticism over the national team's performance and his double roles in government and cricket administration.
The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on Pakistan's decision to boycott its match against India at the T20 World Cup.
On this Special Report, sports editor Vikrant Gupta analyses the International Cricket Council's (ICC) stern ultimatum to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following threats to pull out of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The tension escalated after the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, following Bangladesh's refusal to play in India. Vikrant Gupta notes, 'The moment they do that, their cricket is finished,' highlighting that Pakistan lacks a valid alibi for a boycott. The transcript details potential 'never-before sanctions' including the denial of NOCs for foreign players in the PSL, loss of ICC revenue, and total cricketing isolation. Gupta describes Pakistan's stance as 'geopolitical posturing' to align with Bangladesh, predicting that despite the current drama involving PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan will ultimately participate in the tournament to avoid financial and institutional destruction.
On this report, Nitin Srivastava discusses the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to end its boycott threat and name a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India. The shift comes after a stern warning from the ICC regarding potential sanctions, including the loss of PSL contracts and bilateral series. Nitin Srivastava notes, 'Pakistan was never in that kind of mind frame that they will boycott. It was just a threat to tell ICC that we can actually do that.' The transcript highlights that while Pakistan initially backed Bangladesh's protest against travelling to India, the fear of financial and sporting isolation forced a move toward compliance. While Bangladesh has been replaced by Scotland due to their refusal to play in India, Pakistan will play their matches in Colombo. The discussion underscores that the ICC will not tolerate 'petty politics' or moral support for boycotts that lack a valid security basis, ensuring the tournament proceeds with Pakistan's participation.
On this Special Report, India Today’s Nikhil Naaz provides an exclusive close-up look at the ICC T20 World Cup trophy at the network's Noida office. Highlighting India's status as defending champions, Naaz notes, 'India going to this particular tournament as the defending champion' with a chance to become the first team to win the title three times. The transcript details India's formidable form, having won 32 matches with only five losses in the last 18 months. The tournament is scheduled to begin on 7th February 2026, with the final on 8th March. Naaz discusses the $2.5 million prize money and praises the Indian squad, featuring stars like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah. The report also touches upon the historical significance of the trophy, tracing back to MS Dhoni’s 2007 victory, while contrasting the current accessibility of the silverware with previous controversies involving other cricket tournaments.
In this news bulletin, anchor Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor reports on the ICC's decision to remove Bangladesh from the upcoming T20 World Cup in India after rejecting their hybrid model plea. Scotland will replace Bangladesh, marking the first time a team has been removed from a World Cup by the ICC. Shifting to the World Economic Forum in Davos, economist Geeta Gopinath warns that air pollution poses a greater threat to India's GDP than international tariffs. Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi advocates for a 'Pragati' style coordinated governance model to address this environmental crisis. The programme further details the death of Yuvraj Mehta in Noida, who drowned in an open drain, leading authorities to seal properties of negligent builders across Noida and Greater Noida. Additionally, the bulletin examines a study suggesting that the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs could reduce airline fuel costs by lowering average passenger weight. This segment covers critical developments in international sports, environmental policy, urban safety, and global economic trends.
On this Special Report, sports editor Nikhil Naaz discusses the official confirmation that Bangladesh will miss the upcoming T20 World Cup in India. The decision follows the ICC's rejection of the Bangladesh Cricket Board's plea for a hybrid model, leading to Scotland taking their place. Nikhil Naaz observed, 'Whatever was spoken there, I don't want to mention this. That is just between the players and us,' referring to the lack of transparency regarding the Bangladeshi government's talks with its players. The discussion highlights how political turmoil has turned a global tournament into a diplomatic flashpoint, marking the first time a team has been removed from a World Cup by the ICC. Naaz notes that while India maintains its stance as a safe host, the real losers are the cricketers whose dreams are sidelined by political standoff. The programme also touches upon the strained cricketing ties in the Asian circuit, involving Pakistan and the future of the Asia Cup.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness to hold national polls within 60 to 90 days, provided the US and European allies guarantee security.
In this special report, the focus is on the intensifying election debate in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness to hold national polls within 60 to 90 days, provided the US and European allies guarantee security. The programme also highlights the Indian Rupee crashing past 90 against the dollar and a corruption scandal at Nepal's Pokhara International Airport involving a Chinese firm. Additionally, it covers the revocation of 85,000 US visas and the IMF's bailout of Pakistan.
This special report focuses on the ongoing tussle between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the Asia Cup trophy, with key figures being BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia and PCB Chairperson Mohsin Naqvi. According to Saikia, after a meeting facilitated by the ICC in Dubai, 'We had a cordial discussion on the issue, both sides understood that this has to be sorted out, both sides are positive to sort it out at the earliest possible time.' The dispute began after India won the Asia Cup, and the team reportedly refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who is also Pakistan's Interior Minister. The trophy has since been held at the ICC headquarters, with Naqvi insisting he must be the one to present it. Following the informal talks, both cricket boards are now exploring options to reach an amicable solution.
This special report focuses on the ongoing dispute between the BCCI and the PCB over the 2025 Asia Cup trophy, following a crucial meeting in Dubai between BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Following the discussion, Saikia stated, ‘Both sides cordially participated in the meeting which took place on the sidelines of the ICC board meet’. India won the T20 tournament on September 28 but the team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who is also the Asian Cricket Council President and Pakistan's Interior Minister. The trophy has since remained at the ACC headquarters in Dubai. The ICC has now facilitated talks and formed a committee to help find an amicable resolution to the stalemate between the two powerful cricket boards.
A major controversy has erupted between the BCCI and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy, involving ACC President Mohsin Naqvi. The BCCI has demanded an explanation stating, 'how and why the awards were withheld at the venue, and on what authority the ACC President took possession of them'. After the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi following their victory over Pakistan, the ACC chief reportedly took the silverware. The ACC has now proposed a formal handover ceremony in Dubai on November 10, an invitation India is unlikely to accept. The BCCI has warned that the matter will be escalated to the ICC next month if the trophy is not returned.
This special report focuses on the continuing deadlock over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi. The controversy ignited after Naqvi, who is also Pakistan's Interior Minister and PCB Chairman, refused to part with the trophy, instead urging 'that there be a presentation ceremony at which a BCCI officer, office bearer that is, and a participating player of the Indian team collect the trophy directly from him'. The demand came in response to a stern letter from the BCCI asking for the trophy to be sent to India. Following the refusal, the BCCI has warned it will escalate the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) if the trophy is not handed over.
The big talking point of this episode of News Today is Delhi's air pollution post-Diwali and the politics over it. A day after Diwali, the national capital witnessed a thick blanket of toxic smog.
The focus of this special report is the escalating dispute between the BCCI and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi over the Asia Cup trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is demanding the handover of the silverware after the Indian team refused to accept it from Naqvi, who is also Pakistan's Interior Minister, following their victory. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told India Today, ‘We have written to ACC to give the trophy to the champion team. We are awaiting a response.’ The board has made it clear that if the ACC does not comply, it will escalate the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC). This unprecedented situation has garnered support for the BCCI from the cricket boards of Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, further intensifying pressure on the ACC.
This special report focuses on the escalating dispute over the Asia Cup trophy between the BCCI and ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi. After winning the tournament, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who is also the PCB chairman, in protest of the Pahalgam terror attack. BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia stated, 'we have written to the ACC to give us the trophy to the champion team and we are awaiting a response. If there will be no response or negative response, then we will write to the ICC.' The trophy is now reportedly locked in the ACC's Dubai office, with the BCCI formally demanding its return and preparing to escalate the matter to the International Cricket Council if the standoff continues.
It’s been 15 days since India lifted the Asia Cup, but the trophy remains stuck at the ACC headquarters in Dubai.
The upcoming T20I triangular cricket series between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka is in jeopardy following intense military conflict between Islamabad and Kabul. According to reports, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairperson Mohsin Naqvi has asked the International Cricket Council to 'start working on an alternate plan as he wants the Tri-Series to go ahead'. The series is scheduled from November 17 to 29. However, with deadly clashes reported along the Durand Line, there are serious doubts over Afghanistan's participation. This development also comes just a week after Afghanistan's Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, concluded a high-profile visit to India. The PCB is reportedly already mulling alternative plans, including a bilateral series with Sri Lanka, to ensure the cricketing window is utilized.
The top focus of this episode of To The Point is the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP minority body chief's demand for Bharat Ratna for RSS founder Keshav Hedgewar.
In an exclusive chat with India Today, former India cricketer Madan Lal criticised PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi’s Asia Cup trophy antics, saying his behaviour tarnished not only his image but Pakistan’s cricketing reputation as a whole.
Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi has apologised to the Board of Control for Cricket in India over the chaotic aftermath of the Asia Cup final on September 28.
