Will Mohsin Naqvi attend India vs Pakistan 2026 Asian Games final?

Dubai: Mohsin Naqvi, president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), will not be present at the India-Pakistan men's cricket final during the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya. This decision comes despite his influential position within the ACC and as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The ACC disclosed on Friday that Naqvi's absence is due to "prior commitments". In lieu of his absence, Naqvi extended his best wishes to the four teams competing in the gold and bronze medal matches.

Naqvi's presence might have been anticipated given his high-profile role and his dual responsibilities as ACC president and PCB chairman. India and Pakistan secured their spots in the final with decisive victories - India clinching a 124-run win over Sri Lanka, and Pakistan emerging victorious by six wickets against Bangladesh in a rain-shortened semifinal. Both teams entered the final with a single game played each, as their quarterfinal fixtures were abandoned due to a wet outfield.

The final will mark the first time India and Pakistan have faced each other in men's cricket at the Asian Games. The Men in Blue are defending their gold medal, which they won at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, while Pakistan is on the hunt for their maiden men's cricket gold at the Asian Games. Naqvi's term as ACC president is set to conclude on April 2, 2027, making his absence from the final consistent with the standard two-year tenure for ACC presidents.