'No more begging' - PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi breaks his silence on IND vs PAK bilateral series talks

Ahead of the much-awaited India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 on September 14 in Dubai, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi has broken his silence on the cricket negotiations with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), making it clear that Pakistan will not beg their neighbours for bilateral cricket.

The cricketing relationship between India and Pakistan has been dictated largely by political tensions. Since 2012, both teams have only faced each other in neutral-venue multi-nation events like the World Cups, Asia Cup, and Champions Trophy. While fans and broadcasters continue to demand a full-fledged bilateral series, governments and cricket boards haven't yet given the green signal for it.

Earlier this month, the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports mentioned that the nation will not participate in any bilateral cricket series with Pakistan, but participation in multi-nation tournaments will continue. 

"In so far as bilateral sports events in each other's country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India. With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons. It is also relevant to take into account India's emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events. Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India," the ministry's statement said.

Conflict between two boards extends to tournament hosting rights

Addressing the media in Lahore just days before the Asia Cup, Mohsin Naqvi spoke about PCB’s approach toward future negotiations.

"I think we are very clear that whenever talks are held will be on an equal footing with India and there will be no more begging for negotiations. That time has passed and whatever will happen will be on the basis of equality," Naqvi said.

The conflict between the two boards has also extended to tournament hosting rights. Despite being awarded hosting rights for the Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan’s matches were shifted to the UAE after India refused to travel across the border. Earlier this year, a similar situation took place for the ICC Champions Trophy, where India’s fixtures were also relocated to Dubai under a “hybrid model.”