Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi has disclosed that current chairman Mohsin Naqvi nearly withdrew Pakistan from the Asia Cup following the controversial handshake incident in the India–Pakistan group-stage clash.
In an interview with Samaa TV, Sethi said he was personally advised to stay away from the matter. However, he chose to intervene for the greater good of Pakistan cricket.
“In the heat of the moment, Mohsin Naqvi had decided to withdraw from the Asia Cup. My friends told me, ‘Don’t go, don’t help them.’ I wasn’t even planning to help Naqvi. I went to help the Pakistan Cricket Board,” Sethi shared.
The Heavy Cost of a Pullout
According to Sethi, the decision—if carried out—would have had devastating consequences. Pakistan risked being sanctioned by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), and losing the confidence of foreign players who might have refused to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Financially, the PCB stood to lose as much as $15 million (around ₹132 crore) in broadcasting rights.
“If what he was attempting had succeeded, Pakistan would have suffered irreparable damage,” Sethi said.
Protecting the Integrity of Pakistan Cricket
Sethi emphasised that his involvement was not about individuals but about preserving Pakistan cricket’s reputation on the global stage.
“This wasn’t about individuals. This was about the integrity of Pakistan cricket. Had Pakistan withdrawn, it could’ve led to long-term diplomatic and financial fallout,” he explained.
India–Pakistan Rivalry Intensifies
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Indian team may continue their no-handshake policy in the upcoming Super Four clash against Pakistan on September 21. The match is already being billed as a grudge encounter, adding further fuel to the historic rivalry.
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