Latest news with #MohsinNaqvi
Arab News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistani minister, FIFA president discuss football's growing popularity in country
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Friday to discuss football's growing popularity in Pakistan and the potential that the sport has in the country, the minister said in a statement. Football in Pakistan has long existed in the shadow of cricket. However, the sport has been growing popular over the years, particularly among the youth, who form a passionate fan base in urban centers. Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), met Infantino in Washington on Friday. 'Had an excellent meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino,' Naqvi said in a post on X following his meeting with him during a trip to the US. 'We discussed the immense potential of sports in Pakistan — especially the growing popularity of football following cricket,' he added. Washington DC : Had an excellent meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. We discussed the immense potential of sports in Pakistan — especially the growing popularity of football following cricket. Extended a warm invitation to visit Pakistan, which he graciously accepted… — Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) June 20, 2025 Pakistan and FIFA share a complex yet evolving relationship, shaped by ongoing efforts to develop football infrastructure and promote the sport in the country. Pakistan has faced repeated administrative challenges and international suspensions, largely due to government interference in football affairs. In 2019, FIFA appointed a normalization committee to restore order within the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and facilitate the holding of democratic elections. FIFA suspended the PFF earlier in February after its elected congress rejected the constitutional amendments proposed by the global football body but the ban was reversed in March after PFF accepted the proposed constitutional amendments. However, Pakistan remains committed to elevating its football profile despite recurring setbacks such as suspensions. The Pakistan national football team last played a match in March, losing 2–0 to Syria in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier. The next FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Asia Cup's Future in Flux as UAE Emerges as Neutral Host Amid India–Pakistan Strain
Asian Cricket Council officials are accelerating preparations to shift the 2025 Asia Cup to the United Arab Emirates, prompted by escalating diplomatic tensions and logistical barriers between India and Pakistan. Originally awarded to India, the tournament, scheduled for September, will adopt a neutral venue in a bid to preserve participation from all eight qualifying teams. Sources within ACC and Pakistan Cricket Board suggest that holding the entire tournament in UAE offers the only viable path forward, ensuring both cricketing integrity and commercial viability. Accruing nearly US$170 million in media rights, the Asia Cup commands considerable financial stakes. With India and Pakistan at the centre of its appeal, organisers are unwilling to jeopardise the competition. Forbes reports confirm that ACC officials have concluded that relocating the tournament is more feasible than attempting a hybrid model involving split venues. The UAE becomes the default choice, replicating approaches from previous tournaments when political dynamics between South Asian nations hindered full-fledged hosting arrangements. PCB figures confirm that Pakistan will participate in the UAE-hosted event, despite its reluctance to travel to India. Pakistan also plans a preparatory tri-series in August in Dubai involving Afghanistan and the UAE team—effectively replacing previously scheduled fixtures and maintaining match readiness should the Asia Cup shift occur. With the PCB's Mohsin Naqvi doubling as ACC president, such parallel initiatives underscore Pakistan's active role in preserving the tournament's continuity. ADVERTISEMENT Yet India has maintained a discreet stance. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has neither confirmed nor denied its capacity to host or participate, with internal caution dominating its external posture. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia recently refuted reports that India would withdraw from all ACC events. Still, precedent indicates India's avoidance of Pakistan-hosted events: The team did not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in February–March, instead participating in Dubai under a hybrid format. Recalling historical context affirms the ACC's decision. In 2018, the tournament was relocated from India to UAE amid similar political friction. Such precedent sets a framework for crisis management within the sport, suggesting that regional hostilities do not necessarily derail cricketing schedules. Observers also note that India has consistently leveraged a hybrid model since 2022, notably playing Asia Cup matches in UAE and Sri Lanka rather than Pakistan. Operationally, staging the Asia Cup in UAE will require careful planning, balancing weather conditions in September, broadcast scheduling for global audiences, and coordination with the tri-series. The PCB's tri-series proposal is advancing, reflecting a proactive stance. Meanwhile, ACC is likely to convene soon, under Naqvi's leadership, to finalise the tournament's relocation, format adjustments, and confirmation of venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. No official announcement has yet been made, but reports from ET and ProPakistani align in describing the move as imminent. Stakeholders are weighing broader implications. Indian broadcasters and advertisers depend heavily on premium fixtures, particularly India–Pakistan matches that attract unparalleled viewership. A full UAE tournament may retain this commercial allure while circumventing diplomatic entanglements. For smaller teams such as Hong Kong, Oman and UAE—each having qualified through ACC's Premier Cup—the neutral format ensures on-field exposure without political fallout. However, dissenting voices warn against complacency. Some Pakistani conspirators question whether a UAE relocation diminishes Pakistan's role as host, contrary to its status as 2025 Champions Trophy host and an ACC full member. Conversely, BCCI's insistence on a hybrid model has previously delayed Pakistan-based hosting, but this time the initial hosting rights belong to India. Any pivot could attract scrutiny over ACC governance and fairness, adding dimension to an already complex political backdrop. ADVERTISEMENT Supporters of the hybrid model note that India's hybrid strategy for the Champions Trophy earlier this year preserved integrity but exposed limitations. Attendance at Dubai was lukewarm; Australia–India clashes lacked the vibrancy typical of full-capacity Pakistan venues. UAE's smaller suburban stadiums and shorter pitches may limit spectator buzz, but logistical expediency and political neutrality weigh heavily. Athletes themselves face uncertainty. India and Pakistan players have not toured regularly since 2008 in bilateral series, and momentum often arises through ICC events. The Asia Cup in UAE represents another opportunity for competitive engagement before the T20 World Cup in 2026. With eight teams and nineteen matches planned, this Asia Cup holds relevance for Qatar 2026 preparations. Still, fragmented venues and political overtones could overshadow performance, causing players and fans to question cricket's autonomy from geopolitics. As the ACC readies its final call, timing remains critical. A decision made before July is necessary to confirm bilateral arrangements, tickets, broadcasting contracts, and tri-series scheduling. ACC's resolution will reverberate across regional cricket administration, testing confidence in neutral venues as a template for coping with diplomatic disruptions.
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Asia Cup Venue Changed As Officials Hope To Avoid Cancellation: Report
Last Updated: The ACC has reportedly shifted the 2025 Asia Cup from India to the UAE as officials continue to hope that the tournament will go ahead despite India-Pakistan tensions. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), chaired by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi, has reportedly moved the 2025 men's Asia Cup to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite India being the official host. Clouds still remain over whether the competition will be played at all, in light of the tensions between the two biggest participant nations, India and Pakistan, but officials hope a change in venue will help. According to Forbes, a final decision is expected at the ICC's Annual General Meeting in Singapore next month. But for now, it seems to be decided that the UAE will host the tournament if it goes ahead. It has beaten competition from Sri Lanka, the host of the last edition in 2023, which was also in strong running. India and Pakistan had already reached an arrangement before the 2025 Champions Trophy, where all of their multi-national tournament matches for the foreseeable future will be held in neutral venues. The Asia Cup was put under further doubt after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which took the lives of 26 innocents in Kashmir, and led to retaliatory action from India, bringing it on the brink of a war with Pakistan. Several reports in India have claimed that the tournament won't go ahead, but stakeholders remain cautiously optimistic. 'Things have been quiet amid the tension, and there is much to play out, but there is still time," Forbes cited an official close to discussions as saying. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has also denied rumors of India's 'opting out' of the tournament. Sportstar. The UAE has been a backup neutral venue of several such emergency scenarios, including the Champions Trophy's India matches and some IPL editions. The Cup, if it goes ahead, will be played in the T20 format as preparations for next year's T20 World Cup. First Published: June 17, 2025, 12:38 IST
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First Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
New host decided for Asia Cup 2025 amid fears of cancellation; clarity may come next month: Report
The suspense over Asia Cup 2025 could end next month. Meanwhile, a new host has reportedly been picked for the tournament that could see India play against Pakistan. read more Asia Cup 2025 will reportedly not be hosted in India despite BCCI being the hosts. Image: PTI The 2025 Asia Cup is reportedly set to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) despite India being hosts; however, question marks still hover around whether the tournament will be played in the first place. The decision on that can come as early as August. The Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to be played in September in the T20I format. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the designated host for the Asia Cup 2025, but it was reported in the past that the tournament would be hosted at a neutral venue to ensure India vs Pakistan matches go ahead without any hiccup. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to a report in Forbes, the UAE has now emerged as the most likely host for the Asia Cup 2025, if the tournament goes ahead. The biggest threat to the event is the worsening relationship between India and Pakistan following the April Pahalgam terror attack. Also Read | With Asia Cup appearing highly unlikely, PCB comes up with alternate plan The BCCI has always sought the Indian government's approval for playing against Pakistan, but after the breakdown in relationships between the two neighbours since the terror attack and India's strong retaliatory actions through Operation Sindoor, there are high chances that India may pull out of the Asia Cup 2025. In case India withdraw, the Asia Cup 2025 is expected to be cancelled as the India vs Pakistan matches are the biggest attractions of the tournament, which also leads to expensive media rights. Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) won the media rights for the Asia Cup in 2024 for eight years for a sum of US$ 170 million. But if India pull out, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which conducts the tournament, is set to lose millions. Also Read | How Pakistan cricket, Asia Cup will be impacted if BCCI withdraws Major media houses in India have already reported that the BCCI is set to boycott the Asia Cup 2025 as the ACC is currently headed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has since denied these reports , but the dominating sentiment is that India will eventually boycott the tournament. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The final decision could be made next month after the ICC Annual General Meeting in Singapore.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
ICC Women's World Cup 2025: India to face Pakistan in Colombo on October 5
The stage is set for a blockbuster showdown in the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025, with India scheduled to face traditional rival Pakistan on October 5 in Colombo, as per an ESPNcricinfo report. The high-stakes fixture will unfold at the R Premadasa Stadium, marking one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage. The tournament, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, begins on September 30 with the host nations facing off in Bengaluru. Due to ongoing political sensitivities, all of Pakistan's fixtures will be held in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model agreed upon by the BCCI and PCB. ALSO READ | India Women's ODI World Cup campaign: A home advantage with a global eye India, one of the tournament hosts, will open the event in Bengaluru against Sri Lanka and will also play Bangladesh at the same venue on October 26. With the crowd firmly behind them, the Women in Blue are expected to make a strong push for the title, especially with the psychological boost of not having to travel abroad. Pakistan's road map in Colombo Pakistan will remain in Colombo throughout their group-stage campaign, taking on Bangladesh (October 2), England (October 15), New Zealand (October 18), South Africa (October 21), and Sri Lanka (October 24). PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi reiterated that Pakistan will not travel to India for any matches in the near future, citing strained diplomatic ties. Pakistan qualified for the World Cup after an unbeaten run in April's qualifiers. ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025: Global fixtures and knockouts Defending champions Australia begin their campaign on October 1 in Indore against New Zealand. Their highly anticipated clash with England will be held on October 22, also in Indore. Meanwhile, England will face South Africa (October 3) in Bengaluru, and New Zealand (October 26) in Guwahati. The semi-finals will take place on October 29 and 30, in Guwahati/Colombo and Bengaluru respectively, with the final on November 2—likely in Colombo if Pakistan qualifies, or in Bengaluru otherwise.
