Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has lifted the lid on behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Pakistan’s fate in the 2025 Asia Cup, claiming his intervention at a critical moment prevented the board from facing severe financial and reputational damage.
Speaking during a segment on a private news channel, Najam Sethi stated that current PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi was adamant about Pakistan’s withdrawal from the regional tournament in protest against controversial refereeing decisions and the handshake incident involving match referee Andy Pycroft.
“This was a crisis that could have cost Pakistan dearly. The PCB was adamant that we should boycott the tournament if the ICC didn’t apologise or investigate the incident,” Sethi revealed. “But my point of view has always been that we should not quit, we should fight for our rights,” he added.
The former PCB head also disclosed that he attended a meeting with Mohsin Naqvi to help save Pakistan cricket. “When I was invited, I was asked not to attend. I didn’t go there to support Mohsin Naqvi, I went there to support Pakistan cricket.”
He went on to explain why boycotting the Asia Cup would have been the wrong decision. “If Pakistan had abandoned the Asia Cup, Pakistan cricket would have been in trouble. The ICC could have opposed us in the Asian Cricket Council, could have penalised us, and the 15–16 million dollars we were set to receive would have been lost. Even the PSL could have faced sanctions.”
Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja were invited by Mohsin Naqvi during the crises talks to sort Pakistan’s future in the Asia Cup. After much deliberation it was announced that Pakistan would continue in the tournament, eventually reaching the Super Four stage.
“I think we took the logical step, and Pakistan is still in the tournament.” Najam Sethi concluded.
The PCB has since received an apology from the match referee and assurances from the ICC that an inquiry will be conducted. Despite Asia Cup continuing, the fallout from this controversy hangs over the tournament.
With Pakistan and India set to face off once more, Najam Sethi and others will be hoping that they are not needed to hold such conferences anymore.