Amid Asia Cup trophy controversy, Mohsin Naqvi's hug for emotional Babar Azam goes viral

NEW DELHI: Mohsin Naqvi’s name continues to dominate headlines after the dramatic Asia Cup 2025 final. The “Mohsin Naqvi vs India” narrative has become a recurring theme ever since that night when the Indian team, despite lifting the trophy, refused to accept it from Naqvi — who serves both as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and the President of the Asian Cricket Council.

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Days after that controversy, Naqvi was back in the spotlight — this time in Lahore — as he visited the Gaddafi Stadium to congratulate Pakistan on their T20I series victory over South Africa. Pakistan clinched the three-match series 2-1 after a thrilling four-wicket win in the final game on Sunday.During his visit, Naqvi met the players in the dressing room. The team lined up to greet him, and when it was Babar Azam’s turn, the PCB chief smiled warmly and embraced the star batter in a long hug — a moment that drew plenty of attention from fans and cameras alike.Watch the video hereOn the field, Pakistan’s victory was shaped by standout performances from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar. Shaheen’s fiery spell of 3 for 26 helped restrict South Africa to 139 for 9. Babar then led the chase with a fluent 47-ball 68, striking nine boundaries and guiding Pakistan home in 19 overs.The win came after South Africa’s 55-run triumph in Rawalpindi and Pakistan’s nine-wicket reply in the second game at Lahore. A packed crowd of 32,000 roared as Babar smashed three consecutive fours off Ottniel Baartman to bring up his 37th T20I fifty — his first in 13 innings.Despite a brief wobble after his dismissal, Pakistan crossed the line with Usman Khan’s single sealing the series — and celebrations resounding through Lahore once again.