India‘s emphatic victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28 should have been a moment of pure celebration. Instead, the team returned home without the tournament trophy, sparking a fresh wave of controversy in the cricketing world.
The issue began during the post-match presentation ceremony in Dubai, where the Indian players declined to receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who holds the dual roles of Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in addition to serving as Pakistan’s interior minister. Despite attempts by Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) officials to resolve the matter, Naqvi remained adamant about personally handing over the silverware. India’s players stood their ground, leading to a rare scene where the champions left the ground without their hard-earned prize.
Mohsin Naqvi’s condition for Asia Cup trophy handover
As reported by Cricbuzz, Naqvi has now relented and agreed to hand over the Asia Cup trophy to the Indian side. However, he has set a controversial condition: the transfer of the trophy must take place in a formal ceremony where he alone will present the silverware and medals. This demand has only deepened the standoff, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unlikely to agree to any arrangement that singles out Naqvi in such a role, particularly given the strained political climate between the two nations.
The impasse has left the fate of the trophy uncertain. With emotions still running high following the final, cricketing administrators across Asia are under pressure to find a solution that both honours India’s achievement and avoids further controversy.
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Players move on despite controversy
Amid the ongoing trophy saga, India’s players have quickly shifted their focus to upcoming assignments. Rising stars Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma are expected to play the second and third unofficial ODIs against Australia A. Meanwhile, star players including Shubman Gill and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah are preparing for the crucial Test series against the West Indies, which begins on October 2 in Ahmedabad.
The ability of the players to move past the off-field drama highlights their professionalism, but fans and experts alike have voiced concerns that the lack of a proper presentation has robbed India of a defining celebratory moment.
ACC meeting to address dispute
The Asia Cup controversy is set to be a central agenda item when the ACC convenes its meeting on September 30. Officials from across the region are expected to debate the next steps, with the BCCI likely to push for a resolution that ensures fair recognition for India’s victory.
In addition, the BCCI is preparing to escalate the matter to the global stage. A formal protest is expected to be lodged with the International Cricket Council (ICC) during its Annual General Meeting on November 24. The governing body will be urged to intervene and establish clearer protocols to avoid similar disputes in future tournaments.
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