Days after the Asia Cup 2025 ended, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi has admitted his mistake. He apologised to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the title controversy.
But Naqvi has refused to hand over the trophy and medals. He said Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav must personally collect them from the ACC office in Dubai.
The controversy began on the night of the final in Dubai. India defeated Pakistan to win the Asia Cup. But the team was made to wait for more than an hour as Naqvi insisted on presenting the trophy himself.
India had already made it clear that they would not accept the silverware directly from him. Due to political concerns, they had asked the Emirates Cricket Board’s vice-chairman, Khalid Al Zarooni, to conduct the ceremony.
Mohammed Naqvi Trophy takes Asia Cup 2025 Trophy away from Dubai stadium in shocking retaliation
Mohammed Naqvi refused. Soon, videos went viral showing ACC officials rushing the trophy and medals out of the ground. Host Simon Doull even told viewers on live TV that India would not be receiving their awards.
At an ACC meeting in Dubai two days later, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla asked Naqvi to release the trophy. According to a report in India Today, Naqvi apologised for the poor handling but shifted the blame to India. He said the Men in Blue could get the prize only if Suryakumar Yadav came to the ACC office himself.
The apology did not include his decision to hold back the trophy. Reports said Naqvi told colleagues that “he felt made to look like a cartoon by India’s attitude” and refused to congratulate the team until ACC members forced him.
BCCI officials were upset. They reminded Naqvi that the trophy was the property of the ACC, not his personal belonging.
ALSO READ Suryakumar Yadav donates Asia Cup match fees to Indian Army, wins hearts!
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and vice-president Rajeev Shukla strongly criticised him. They called his act “unsporting and unacceptable.” Both said India had won fairly and deserved the trophy.
Since Naqvi has not agreed to hand over the cup, the BCCI still plans to raise the issue at the ICC’s November meeting.
