List of instances when Pakistan threatened a boycott under Mohsin Naqvi's tenure | PC- AFP
Ever since Imran Khan was jailed back in August 2023, the cricketing fratenity has come together appealing for humane treatment and proper medical care of the 73-year-old.
Recently, the Supreme Court ordered to shift the former captain from the Rawalpindi jail to a hospital in Islamabad for better medicial assistance. However, he was shifted back to the prison earlier this week.
On Thursday, an exposive interview of the former Pakistan PM and legendary captain's sons was taken during the ongoing Test match between England and Pakistan at Lord's Cricket Ground.
After the interview went live, it irked various parties, including the Pakistan Cricket Board. Nevertheless, in this article, we will look at instances in cricket when the Pakistan board threatened to boycott a match under Mohsin Naqvi.
1) During Asia Cup 2025
India and Pakistan participated in the Asia Cup 2025 during a controversial time, given the geopolitical differences between the two countries.
In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the BCCI decided against opting out of the multi-team tournament, despite the outside pressure regarding playing against the Men in Green.
However, the Indian board and management decided to play the archrivals to beat them on the field, while they didn't shake hands with the opposition to stand together with the emotion back home.
The Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB wasn’t too pleased with their counterpart’s decision, stating that match referee Andy Pycroft failed to uphold the spirit of cricket and threatening to boycott their group fixture against the UAE. However, after the ACC removed Pycroft as the match referee from Pakistan’s fixture.
Meanwhile, the Men in Blue continued the trend of not shaking hands with Pakistan players throughout the Asia Cup 2025. And it has been the same ever since.
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2) IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2026
After the Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan played India in the T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with all of the matches for the Men in Green scheduled to be played in the Island nation.
Although the ICC agreed on PCB's conditions, the Bangladesh Cricket Board also demanded the same, citing their team's security in India. After Bangladesh's conditions weren't agreed on, the Mohsin Naqvi and co. tried to threaten a boycott of the INDO-PAK fixture of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Later on, Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland, and Pakistan eventually played against the arch-rivals India at Colombo.
3) ENG vs PAK Lord's Test 2026
With all the drama around the legendary Imran Khan's arrest, the cricketing fraternity has come together demanding either the release of the former Pakistan PM or that he receive adequate health care. However, there has been radio silence from the authorities.
Meanwhile, on Day 1 of the ongoing Lord’s Test between England and Pakistan, Sky Sports telecast an interview with Imran’s sons that ticked off the PCB.
The explosive interview was conducted by England's former captain, Michael Atherton, in which he spoke to Suleiman Khan and Kasim Khan about their father. Notably, Atherton is among 21 former cricketers who wrote an open letter to PM Shehbaz Sharif urging humane treatment and proper medical care for Imran.
Reportedly, the PCB, led by Mohsin Naqvi, threatened not to take the field after Lunch on Day 1 of the Lord’s Test, but the players eventually did and had a better day at the office.
Also Read: Shahid Afridi Calls For Mohsin Naqvi’s PCB Exit Amid Imran Khan Interview Row
