In a rare triumph for Pakistan on the global cricketing stage, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under the leadership of Mohsin Naqvi, has outmanoeuvred the all-powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). What began as India’s refusal to participate in the Champions Trophy 2025 has now ended with Pakistan not only holding its ground but emerging stronger.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally agreed to Pakistan’s terms, dictating that all Pakistan-India matches in ICC tournaments will now be played exclusively at neutral venues for the next three years. This agreement spans 2024 to 2027, including the much-anticipated Champions Trophy next February. In addition, Pakistan has secured a major win by clinching hosting rights for the Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2028.

This remarkable turnaround underscores a new era in cricket diplomacy, with Pakistan no longer willing to bow to pressure from its neighbours or the ICC.

For decades, India has held sway in cricket’s corridors of power, bolstered by its economic clout and aggressive diplomacy. But this hegemony has been challenged by Mohsin Naqvi, whose negotiation skills and refusal to back down have forced a significant shift in the dynamics of cricket governance.

Eighteen months ago, India, under the stewardship of Jay Shah, successfully undermined Pakistan’s hosting rights for the Asia Cup. However, the roles have now reversed. This time, Naqvi’s strategic foresight and unflinching resolve have cornered Shah, now serving as ICC Chairman.

Pakistan’s previous PCB administrations often faltered on the international stage, prioritising compromise over confrontation. But Naqvi’s leadership has not only turned the tide but also set a precedent for other cricketing nations grappling with India’s overreach.

At the heart of the negotiations was the ICC’s lucrative $2.4 billion broadcasting agreement, where Star Sports, India’s largest sports broadcaster, is a dominant player. India-Pakistan matches are the crown jewel of the ICC’s broadcasting revenue, making their continuity non-negotiable. Mohsin Naqvi capitalised on this dependence, using Pakistan’s hosting rights as leverage to secure better terms.

The agreement has broader implications, challenging India’s monopoly over international cricket and signalling to smaller cricketing nations that they too can push back. While neutral venues provide an immediate solution to logistical and political tensions, they also highlight the need for a fairer revenue-sharing model within the ICC.

For cricket enthusiasts, this decision is a bittersweet victory. While Pakistani fans celebrate a rare diplomatic win, both nations’ supporters will miss the electrifying atmosphere of home-ground clashes.

For India, the fallout is far more significant. Being relegated to neutral venues for three years underscores a weakening influence, even as it continues to host major tournaments. This arrangement also places additional scrutiny on the ICC, which has long been criticised for pandering to India’s financial dominance.

Mohsin Naqvi’s role in this historic development cannot be overstated. His ability to manoeuvre through the intricacies of international cricket diplomacy while prioritising Pakistan’s interests has redefined the PCB’s standing. Under his leadership, Pakistan is no longer a passive participant in global cricket politics but an assertive voice demanding fairness and respect.

By securing hosting rights for the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2028 and ensuring neutrality in Pakistan-India encounters, Naqvi has delivered more than just a cricketing victory; he has sent a clear message that Pakistan will no longer accept second-class treatment in the sport it cherishes.