ACC President to Skip Asian Games Pak-India Final Medal Ceremony

Naqvi cites prior commitments and wishes all four teams well, with his absence carrying added significance after recent trophy-presentation controversies involving Indian teams

Sports Desk

DUBAI: Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi will skip Saturday’s medal ceremony following the much-anticipated Asian Games men’s cricket final between Pakistan and India in Nisshin, avoiding a repeat of recent trophy-presentation controversies involving the two sides.

The ACC confirmed that Naqvi would miss Finals Day at the 2026 Asian Games due to “prior commitments” and conveyed his best wishes to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ahead of the gold and bronze-medal matches.

“ACC President, Mohsin Naqvi, will miss Finals Day at Asian Games 2026 due to prior commitments,” the ACC said in a social media post.

Naqvi also said his commitments would keep him away from Nagoya but that he would follow the action. “Wishing all participants the very best ahead of the gold and bronze medal matches at the Asian Games 2026,” he said.

“Commitments will keep me away from Nagoya, but I’ll be looking forward to some thrilling action.” Pakistan and India will contest the gold medal, while Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will meet in the bronze-medal match.

Naqvi’s absence comes amid recent tensions over trophy presentations involving India. At last year’s ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, India declined to receive the trophy and medals from Naqvi, who is also chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), resulting in a delay to the closing ceremony.

A similar episode occurred after the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup final last Sunday, when India again declined to collect the trophy from Naqvi after defeating defending champions Sri Lanka. The latest development means Naqvi will not be present when the medals are presented after Saturday’s high-profile Pakistan-India clash.