The arch-rival clash between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup Final on Sunday, September 28, is set to be a historic, high-octane event on the field, but a high-stakes diplomatic tightrope walk off it.
Unbeaten India, led by T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav, enter the final as clear favorites, having defeated Salman Ali Agha’s Pakistan side twice already in the tournament. However, the contest is now shadowed by the political tension that has marked the entire tournament, culminating in the complete absence of top Indian cricket administration.
BCCI’s ‘Invisible Boycott’
In a continuation of their stance during the group and Super 4 stages, no BCCI official will be present at the Dubai International Stadium for the final.
- AGM Takes Precedence: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai on Sunday, September 28. During the meeting, former Delhi captain Mithun Manhas formally replaced Roger Binny as the new president of the board.
- Officials Stay Home: While other high-ranking officials like board secretary Devajit Saikia and IPL chairman Arun Dhumal wrapped up the AGM early, sources confirm they will not be flying to Dubai. The newly elected officials have also chosen to remain in India and skip the crucial game.
- Public Mood & Boycott Calls: This decision has been widely reported as a form of “invisible boycott,” taken after the board assessed the prevailing public mood and boycott calls in India following recent cross-border tensions.
The Mohsin Naqvi Factor
The drama is further amplified by the presence of Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Naqvi has arrived in Dubai and is scheduled to present the winner’s trophy.
The ACC chief has already stirred controversy during the tournament with cryptic and provocative posts on his ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) timeline, which appeared to endorse controversial on-field gestures by Pakistani players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan. The scenario raises the potential for a fresh diplomatic controversy should the Indian team win and refuse to accept the trophy from Naqvi.
The clash is the first-ever final between the two rivals in the 41-year history of the Asia Cup. Despite all the off-field noise, as Pakistan’s Head Coach Mike Hesson noted, “The final is the only match that counts.” The world will be watching to see if the unbeaten Indian juggernaut can deliver a hat-trick of wins and claim the prestigious trophy.