President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has emphasised that Pakistan and Bangladesh must work as one team to uplift the standard of cricket in the region.During his visit to Bangladesh, a dinner was hosted in Naqvi’s honour by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Dhaka. Speaking at the event, ACC President Mohsin Naqvi stated, “The ACC plays a vital role in the promotion of cricket, and for the game’s progress, Pakistan and Bangladesh need to function as a unified front.”

Naqvi called for concrete and effective decisions to improve cricket across the region. He highlighted that collaboration between both countries is crucial for umpiring development, women's cricket programmes, and the overall cricketing ecosystem. Earlier in the day, Naqvi held a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh's Sports Minister Asif Mahmood and both sides agreed to enhance sports cooperation across multiple fronts. The meeting also focused on launching joint umpire development programmes, promoting women’s cricket initiatives, and signing a formal MoU between PCB and BCB to promote sports exchange.

Naqvi also emphasised the need for youth skill development, employment initiatives, and educational collaborations, including scholarship and exchange programmes between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Innovations in solar energy and technological partnerships were also discussed, along with security documentation reforms. During the interaction, Naqvi briefed the Bangladesh delegation on Pakistan’s NADRA digital security system, offering technical insight into its robust framework.

Bangladesh’s Minister Asif Mahmood expressed deep interest in the NADRA model. Naqvi extended an invitation to Bangladeshi umpires for training sessions in Pakistan and also invited a high-level Bangladeshi delegation to visit NADRA headquarters. The visit is expected to take place soon. Highlighting demographics, Naqvi remarked, “A significant portion of both countries’ populations is made up of youth. Investing in sports and skill-building initiatives can unlock vast development potential.”

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)