Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi will not be present for the India-Pakistan men's cricket gold-medal match at the 2026 Asian Games, with the ACC confirming that he will miss the final due to prior commitments. India will face Pakistan at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, with the Indian team aiming to defend its Asian Games gold medal. Naqvi's possible presence had attracted attention since the knockout draw raised the prospect of an India-Pakistan final.
The ACC confirmed Naqvi's absence in a post on X, stating that its president would miss Finals Day but had sent his best wishes to all four teams competing in the gold and bronze-medal matches. Naqvi, who is also chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan's Interior Minister, said his prior commitments would keep him away from Nagoya but that he would be following the matches.
His absence also comes against the backdrop of tensions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Naqvi over trophy presentations at recent Asia Cup tournaments. Indian cricket teams have declined to receive trophies directly from Naqvi during the 2025 men's Asia Cup and the 2026 women's edition. The BCCI had previously sought an arrangement under which another ACC official could present the trophy.
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The disagreement has involved Naqvi's dual roles as ACC chairman and PCB chief, as well as his position in Pakistan's government. The BCCI has maintained that its teams would not receive trophies from Naqvi, while Naqvi has maintained that the trophies would have to be collected from him. The issue became particularly prominent after India's teams declined to accept the trophies during the recent Asia Cup events.
The possibility of Naqvi attending the Asian Games final had therefore raised questions about how the official medal and trophy ceremony would be conducted if India and Pakistan met for the gold medal. His absence removes the need to address that particular situation involving the ACC president during the presentation ceremony. The Olympic Council of Asia, local organisers and the Indian Olympic Association will be involved in the arrangements for the Games ceremony.
The India-Pakistan final will now take place without Naqvi in attendance, with the focus shifting to the competition itself. India are seeking consecutive Asian Games gold medals in men's cricket, while Pakistan will attempt to claim the title in the final. The bronze-medal match will also be held on Finals Day, with Naqvi extending his wishes to all four teams despite his decision not to travel to Japan.
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