Jay Shah Cancels Major ICC Event, Mohsin Naqvi's Attendance For T20 World Cup Final Out

Jay Shah, Mohsin Naqvi [Source: X]

In a significant development, the ICC has cancelled a major event scheduled for Doha, Qatar, from March 25-27. On Sunday, March 8, India and New Zealand will cross swords in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026. 

The high-octane clash will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It has been understood that ICC chairman Jay Shah and a number of his associates will attend the match. 

Meanwhile, as the ICC officials get ready to witness a riveting contest, the ICC supremo Jay Shah has cancelled a crucial meet-up scheduled for later this month in the Middle East. 

ICC meeting in Qatar cancelled due to tension in the Middle East

As revealed through an official press release in February, the ICC was set to conduct a meeting of its board of directors in Qatar from March 25 to 27. The apex cricketing body, led by Jay Shah, had to take the drastic step due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. 

It's worth noting that the Middle East region has been gripped by an intense armed conflict between Iran and the United States. Following the United States and Israel's joint military operation, Iran targeted several Gulf countries, with Qatar being one of them. 

Therefore, the geopolitical scenario in the Middle East forced the ICC to cancel the meeting. As reported by Cricbuzz, the Jay Shah-led administrative body is searching for alternative dates and venues for the meet-up. 

Also read: Gautam Gambhir's India Get MS Dhoni Boost In Ahmedabad For T20 World Cup Final

On Saturday, the ICC conveyed its decision to the board members, citing why it was not feasible to hold the meeting in the Middle East amid strained geopolitical relations between several nations in the region. 

ICC officials to attend India vs New Zealand final

In another development, several ICC board members have been invited to Jay Shah's hometown, Ahmedabad, to witness the high-profile T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand. 

While the ICC chairman has been the most significant presence in most of India's matches, the respective chiefs of several cricket boards, including the New Zealand Cricket, Cricket South Africa and Zimbabwe Cricket, are believed to attend the mega clash in Ahmedabad. 

Former cricketer Roger Twose serves as the NZC chief, while Tavengwa Mukuhlani and Dr Mohammed Moosajee serve similar roles at the ZC and CSA, respectively. 

Mohsin Naqvi, BCB chief snubbed from ICC gathering in Ahmedabad

However, Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, won't likely be present in Ahmedabad for the India Vs New Zealand T20 World Cup final. Aminul Islam Bulbul, the chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, will also be among the absentees, as he's currently in Melbourne. 

Mohsin Naqvi has grabbed the limelight in India for the wrong reasons since the Asia Cup. The PCB chairman, who also serves as the chief of the Asian Cricket Council, didn't handover the trophy to India after Suryakumar Yadav and his men refused to receive it from him due to his Pakistani origin. 

Recently, the PCB chief sparked controversy by reportedly penalising Pakistan's T20 World Cup-bound players for failing to qualify for the semifinals. 

So, considering his bitter relationship with the BCCI and the Indian cricket fans, Naqvi's absence is certainly going to be a talking point during the T20 World Cup final. 

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