Lahore, August 23, 2025: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday ruled out “pleading” for the revival of sporting ties with India, insisting that any future dialogue would only take place on equal terms.
His remarks followed India’s new sports policy, announced earlier this week, which formally extended the suspension of bilateral sporting relations with Pakistan to all disciplines, including cricket. The ban does not apply to multilateral tournaments, keeping intact next month’s high-profile Asia Cup clash between the arch-rivals.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said: “We are very clear that whenever talks are held, it will be on an equal footing with India. There will be no more begging for negotiations. That time has passed.”
On Pakistan’s recent underwhelming performances, the PCB chief assured fans that improvements were on the horizon. Responding to questions over the exclusion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the squad, Naqvi clarified he had no role in selection decisions. “I do not even have a one per cent role in team selection,” he stressed, adding that the process was carried out by the selection committee and advisory body after detailed deliberations.
Naqvi said the priority was to bring in new talent to strengthen competition within the team. “Whatever lot was available to us, we polished it and took it forward,” he remarked.
On visa concerns for Pakistani journalists covering the Asia Cup in the UAE, Naqvi said a dedicated coordination cell had been established to facilitate the process.
Urging fans to rally behind the team during the Asia Cup, he cautioned that “needless criticism” demoralises players during major tournaments. He also voiced optimism about progress in the women’s squad alongside the men’s team.
