Mohsin Naqvi to skip IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad, to attend ICC meeting

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi will not be travelling to Ahmedabad for the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 31. Even so, he is still expected to be part of the wider cricket governance discussions, with his participation planned for an ICC Board meeting that is set to be held alongside the tournament’s showpiece match.

Instead of attending in person, Naqvi will take part in the ICC Board of Directors meeting via video conference. This will be made possible through a longstanding arrangement for member representatives who are unable to travel.

ICC Board meeting: why Naqvi won’t be in Ahmedabad

1. Mohsin Naqvi will not travel to Ahmedabad for the IPL 2026 final on May 31.
2. His presence is expected at the ICC Board of Directors meeting, scheduled for the same period as the summit clash.
3. He is set to join the meeting virtually through a provision that allows representatives to participate remotely.
4. The plan matches the ICC’s routine approach for cases where attendance in person is not feasible.
5. Two additional board members are also expected to attend the ICC meeting via video link.

While top administrators from across cricket boards are anticipated to attend, there have been claims in Pakistan media suggesting that the BCCI personally invited Naqvi for the IPL final. Those reports have been described as incorrect, with the argument being that any visit to India would have been solely for the ICC governance meeting rather than for the IPL final itself.

Original schedule and the Doha shift

1. The ICC meeting was originally planned for Doha and was set to take place between March 25 and March 27.
2. It was postponed due to the ongoing crisis between the USA and Iran affecting West Asia.
3. The postponed agenda was designed to bring together ICC Board Directors, Chief Executives, committee members, and senior leadership from the sport’s governing body.
4. One major item expected to feature prominently was the global broadcasting rights, with the ICC’s arrangement involving JioStar set to end in 2027.

In its earlier communication, the ICC said the gatherings are part of its ongoing governance calendar, bringing together Board Directors, Chief Executives, committee members and senior leadership to deliberate on issues shaping both the current and future direction of the global game.

The ICC also pointed out that staging the meetings in Doha reflects its growing involvement with cricket in Qatar and the country’s broader sporting ecosystem. It cited support and collaboration with the Qatar Cricket Association and the Olympic Committee, noting that “Cricket in Qatar” has helped drive notable progress in recent years.