The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has made a striking statement of commitment to the sport by sacrificing his exclusive 30-seat VIP Hospitality Box at the Dubai International Stadium for the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the Champions Trophy.
Instead of keeping the premium seats for himself, his family and guests, Mohsin Naqvi opted to sell them, channeling the proceeds, reportedly around 400,000 dirhams (INR 94 lakh), into PCB’s funds.
Rather than watching the game in luxury, Mohsin Naqvi has chosen to immerse himself in the crowd, experiencing the electrifying atmosphere alongside passionate Pakistan supporters. His decision has already been communicated to the ICC and the Emirates Cricket Board.
The revenue generated from this gesture, along with other ticketing receipts from the ICC, will be directed toward upgrading cricket stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, reinforcing Mohsin Naqvi’s commitment to enhancing cricket infrastructure in the country.
The highly anticipated India-Pakistan showdown is set to take place on February 23 in Dubai, drawing immense global attention. Before that, defending champions Pakistan will launch their Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand, while India will begin their journey against Bangladesh. Historically, Pakistan holds a slight edge over India in Champions Trophy encounters, having won three out of their five clashes. However, India has dominated recent multi-nation tournaments, securing five consecutive ODI victories over their arch-rivals since the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
Mohsin Naqvi’s decision to forgo VIP luxury in favor of supporting the sport at the grassroots level underscores his dedication to Pakistan cricket, ensuring that the nation’s cricketing future continues to grow both on and off the field.
