Who is Mohsin Naqvi, the current PCB chairman expected to replace Jay Shah as ACC chief?

Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, is all set to undertake a new role as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), following Jay Shah's recent appointment as ICC chairman.

It is expected that Naqvi's appointment will be declared at an ACC meeting likely to take place in October-November 2024, in line with the organisation's rotational leadership policy. As per PTI sources, Naqvi will start his two-year term as ACC President in 2025.

"When the ACC meets later this year, it will confirm that Naqvi will be the next president for a two-year term," a source from PTI shared. "When Jay Shah steps down, the PCB chief will take over."

Jay Shah, who has served as ACC President since 2020, including a one-year extension, is set to transition to a new role as Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Who is Mohsin Naqvi?

Despite not having extensive participation in cricket management, Naqvi is a widely-recognised personality in Pakistan due to his substantial experience in administration and corporate sectors.

Born on October 28, 1978, in Lahore, Naqvi completed his early education at Crescent Model School and thereafter graduated from Government College University. He then moved to the United States to pursue higher education in media sciences.?

Naqvi's career in media started at CNN, where he was assigned the role of a producer in the USA before getting the position of Regional Head for South Asia. In 2009, he set up City Media Group, which currently operates six television channels and a newspaper in Pakistan.

Why is Naqvi the Chairman of the PCB?
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Naqvi’s foray into cricket administration happened on January 22, 2024, when he was selected as a member of the PCB's governing board by the PCB's chief patron, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.

Prior to this role, Naqvi had served as the caretaker Chief Minister of Pakistan, a position he was appointed to by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

During his term as PCB Chairman, Naqvi brought in several changes within the organisation. In March 2024, he reorganised the National Cricket Selection Committee, which had previously been headed by one chairman. Under Naqvi, the committee was expanded to seven members, each having equal voting power.

Despite these changes, Pakistan cricket faced a challenging period under Naqvi's leadership. Criticism arose, particularly regarding his decision to reinstate Babar Azam as captain of Pakistan's white-ball cricket team, a move that many viewed as detrimental to the team's performance. Following Pakistan's defeats against the USA and India in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Naqvi called for significant changes within the team, describing it as a need for "major surgery." The Dawn's editorial commented on the fragility of the seven-member committee formed by Naqvi, while Pakistan Today expressed concerns over what it described as an "unserious attitude towards cricket" from the PCB's political patrons, suggesting this might have contributed to the team's recent struggles.

In response to these developments, Muhammad Ali Saif, then advisor to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, publicly called for Naqvi’s resignation, arguing that the PCB Chairman should be a "professional and responsible individual" and emphasizing the importance of separating sports from politics.

Naqvi to oversee 2025 Asia Cup

Naqvi’s upcoming term as ACC President will place him at the steering gear during the 2025 Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted in India. He will also play a crucial role in the framing ACC's future strategies and will look after the ICC Champions Trophy, set to take place in Pakistan in 2025.

Appointed as PCB Chairman in February 2024 and later as Pakistan’s Interior Minister in March 2024, Naqvi’s nomination as ACC President marks his third significant role within a single year. Among his duties will be managing the delicate situation surrounding the Indian cricket team's participation in the Champions Trophy on Pakistani soil, given that India has not played in Pakistan since 2008.

Shah reflects on his journey as ACC chief

Jay Shah, reflecting on his new role at the ICC, stated, "I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council."?

Also Read:?Jay Shah becomes youngest-ever ICC Chairman: Key milestones during his tenure as BCCI secretary

Shah emphasised his commitment to working with the ICC to further globalize cricket, stating, "We stand at a critical juncture where it is increasingly important to balance the coexistence of multiple formats, promote the adoption of advanced technologies, and introduce our marquee events to new global markets."??

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