The corridors of international cricket administration are rarely silent, but the latest uproar has sent social media into a frenzy. A number of viral claims bear this out Mohsin Naqvicurrent chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s Federal Home Minister is poised to take up the mantle International Cricket Council (ICC) from the incumbent Jay Shah.
Given the historically frosty relationship between cricket boards India and PakistanThe news has sparked intense debate among fans. However, before the story gets any stronger, it is important to peel back the layers of these viral claims and look at the hard facts governing ICC leadership transitions.
A viral social media post refers to a report claiming that Mohsin Naqvi is the next ICC chairman
The spark for this digital fire was a post on X (formerly Twitter) on March 29, 2026, which gained a lot of interest. Citing a purported ESPN report, the post claimed that Naqvi was ready to replace Shah. According to the viral claim, Naqvi will serve as ICC chairman for four years from 2028 to 2032.
The timing of this rumor is particularly sensitive. This follows a period of considerable friction within it Asian Cricket Council (ACC)where Naqvi serves as president. followed by Asian Cup 2025There was a strange controversy during the time of the Indian team led by him Suryakumar Yadavreportedly refused to take the trophy from Naqvi due to diplomatic tensions. In a move that dominated the headlines, Naqvi took the trophy to the ACC office in Dubai, saying that the trophy would only be awarded if the Indian captain received it from him in person.
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Fact check: Naqvi set to become next ICC chairman after Jay Shah?
Despite the ESPN quote in the viral posts, a deeper look into the official archives reveals that there is no such report. ESPN and its affiliate, ESPNcricinfo, have not released any news regarding a predetermined succession plan for 2028. The social media post appears to be a classic example of circular reporting, where an unverified claim is attributed to a reputable news outlet and given a false sense of authority.
One has to look at the current ICC timeline and the organization’s statutes to understand why these claims are factually empty. Shah officially assumed the role of ICC President on December 1, 2024. Greg Barclay. Under current ICC rules, the Chairman is elected for a two-year term, renewable twice for a maximum term of six years.
Currently, Shah is at the helm of a critical period for the sport, focusing on bringing cricket into the sport. 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. There is no waiting list or succession system for the ICC top job. The process is fully democratic:
- Nominations: A candidate must be nominated by at least one current ICC director.
- Choice: If there are several candidates, a secret ballot is held among the 16 directors of the board.
- Majority: A simple majority is required to win.
While Naqvi is indeed an influential figure as the head of the PCB and ACC, his path to the ICC chairmanship will require a formal election process that has not even begun for the 2028 cycle. In addition, PCB is currently grappling with internal difficulties, including disappointing issues T20 World Cup 2026 campaign and the ongoing debate over Nagwin’s dual role as a government minister and cricket administrator.
In conclusion, reports of Naqvi becoming the next BCM chairman are false and unverified. There is no official support for these claims, and the purported ESPN report does not exist.
