First Brave Chairman in PCB History: Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta hails Mohsin Naqvi’s defiance

First Brave Chairman in PCB History: Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta hails Mohsin Naqvi’s defiance

By Nawaz Gohar ;  In a rare cross-border endorsement, prominent Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta has lauded Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsen Naqvi for his “unflinching and courageous” leadership, describing him as the first PCB chief to look the BCCI and ICC “eye to eye.”

Gupta’s comments, which have since gone viral on social media, highlight a paradigm shift in PCB’s governance. He noted that for the first time in history, a Pakistani chairman is speaking openly against external pressures without hesitation. “Mohsen Naqvi is fighting the ICC and India eye-to-eye and is not afraid,” Gupta remarked, adding that Naqvi’s decision to halt the national team’s World Cup preparations sends a powerful message.

The veteran journalist also took aim at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), criticizing their contradictory policies. He pointed out the irony of Indian players being discouraged from shaking hands with Pakistani counterparts under the guise of political tension, while lucrative commercial and trade activities between the two nations continue unabated.

This friction follows the controversial Asia Cup 2025 trophy ceremony, where the victorious Indian team reportedly refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsen Naqvi, an act widely condemned by sporting circles as a breach of sportsmanship.

The crisis surrounding the T20 World Cup in India has deepened as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formally requested the ICC to shift their matches to Sri Lanka, citing severe security concerns. While the ICC initially rejected the plea and urged a review, the BCB has remained steadfast in its refusal to play on Indian soil.

In solidarity with these concerns, Chairman Mohsen Naqvi has officially instructed the Pakistan national team to temporarily suspend their World Cup training camp. Furthermore, the PCB has requested an alternative contingency plan from the team management should Pakistan decide to withdraw from the mega-event entirely.

Media reports suggest that Pakistan’s final decision remains contingent on how the ICC addresses Bangladesh’s legitimate security reservations. If the stalemate continues, the 2026 T20 World Cup faces the unprecedented prospect of proceeding without two of its major Asian powerhouses.