Mohsin Naqvi to file complaint to ICC over India’s ‘provocative-behaviour’:BCCI to review India’s defeat against Pakistan; U19 final controversy intensifies

The consequences from India’s humiliating 191-run loss to Pakistan in the U19 Asia Cup final have intensified. Both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have stepped in to take action on different fronts post-controversial showdown in Dubai. It was a heated match shrouded in exchanges. First, India U19 captain Ayush Mhatre had an outburst over Pakistan bowler Ali Raza for his send-off. Meanwhile, Vaibhav Suryavanshi also had a fiery reaction, pointing his shoe to PAK pacer after getting dismissed. However, India lost the final contest, resulting in BCCI review, while the gestures from the Indian side compelled PCB to file a complaint. BCCI launches performance review The BCCI decided during an Apex Council meeting on 22nd December to conduct a detailed review of the team’s performance following the one-sided final. As per the Cricbuzz report, the board plans to seek explanations from team management, including head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and captain Ayush Mhatre, regarding India’s collapse for just 156 runs while chasing 348. The decision to review came after India skipper Ayush Mhatre opted to bowl first on batting friendly Dubai pitch. Pakistan opener Sameer Minhas scored 172 off 113 deliveries. But India had a batting collapse emerged as a key concern ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup scheduled for early 2026 in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Reports also suggest that the BCCI has expressed concern over the conduct of Vaibhav Suryavanshi and captain Ayush Mhatre during the final. Although BCCI’s review is not certain in that regard, PCB is planning to file formal complaint. PCB to approach ICC over ‘provocative behaviour’ from Indian players PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced that the board would approach the International Cricket Council over what he described as “provocative behaviour” by Indian players during the final. Speaking at a reception hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Naqvi stated: Indian players kept provoking Pakistani players during the Under-19 Asia Cup final. Pakistan will formally inform the ICC about the incident. Politics and sports should always be kept separate. Pakistan U19 team mentor and former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed also criticised India’s conduct. He said during media interaction, “India’s behaviour during the game was not appropriate, and their conduct was against the spirit of cricket. Despite that, we celebrated our victory with sportsmanship. Cricket should always be played in the right spirit; what India did reflects their own actions.” Trophy ceremony controversy in U19 Asia Cup final Adding to the tensions, the post-match ceremony witnessed awkward scenes when the Indian team refused to receive their runners-up medals from Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Asian Cricket Council chairman. Instead, ICC Associate Member Director Mubashshir Usmani presented the Indian players with medals, away from the main podium where Naqvi stood. This incident was almost similar to the controversy from the senior men’s Asia Cup final in September, where India refused to collect the trophy from Naqvi. It eventually led to ongoing diplomatic tensions between the cricket boards. What lies next for both the India and Pakistan teams? The BCCI’s review aims to address the team’s shortcomings before the U19 World Cup. Pakistan has celebrated the victory with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announcing a cash reward of Rs 10 million for each team member. Meanwhile, the ICC is expected to receive Pakistan’s formal complaint regarding player conduct in the coming days.