NEW DELHI: A fresh video showing Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi sharing a backstage moment with India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has gone viral ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai.
The clip, released by the PCB’s official handle, captures Naqvi arriving at the venue and warmly greeting all captains. He was seen embracing Pakistan skipper Salman Agha before shaking hands with other leaders, including Suryakumar Yadav.
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Later, the video showed Naqvi walking out for the press conference with Suryakumar just behind him, the pair then lining up alongside the other skippers for the official photographs with the glittering Asia Cup trophy. The visuals quickly spread across social media, adding to the buzz around India-Pakistan ties on and off the field.
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Suryakumar, one of eight captains present at the joint presser, admitted India would need to gel quickly in the T20 format. “We have not played a game together since June, but as a team, we have to accept this challenge. We’ve been preparing here for the last four days and are confident about adapting quickly,” the 34-year-old said.
Naqvi’s presence has drawn particular attention given his political role in Pakistan and his recent remarks following the Pahalgam terror attack. He had called the episode “a drama,” telling The Express Tribune: “Pakistan’s economic stability is intolerable for India. The world must see how the country that claims to be the largest democracy is using terrorism to achieve its objectives.” At a press conference in Lahore, he added: “Pakistan is ready to fully cooperate with any neutral party conducting a probe, as we seek to expose the real perpetrators behind the attack.”
While the political undertone loomed in the backdrop, cricket took center stage as all captains spoke of their ambitions. Pakistan skipper Salman Agha said ahead of the India clash: “Adopting an aggressive approach is the natural strength of fast bowlers. These conditions are not new to us, and we will try to give our best.”
The Asia Cup begins on Tuesday with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong, but the marquee contest remains India vs Pakistan on September 14 — a rivalry that may well play out more than once in the tournament.
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