Asia Cup Trophy Row Escalates: PCB Chief Naqvi Demands Indian Captain Collect Cup in Person
The controversy surrounding the handover of the Asia Cup 2025 trophy has intensified, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi setting a highly contentious new condition for India to receive the silverware.
Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, has reportedly demanded that Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav must personally visit the ACC office to collect the trophy. This development comes after the Indian team, victorious over Pakistan in the final, collectively refused to accept the cup from Naqvi at the presentation ceremony on Sunday.
The new condition was made during a routine ACC meeting in Dubai on Tuesday. According to Pakistani media reports, Naqvi rejected repeated demands by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice-President Rajeev Shukla to release the trophy, stating that the issue was not on the meeting’s agenda.
It was only after further insistence that Naqvi issued the ultimatum: “If the Indian team wanted the trophy, its captain should visit the ACC office personally to receive it,” a Geo News report stated.
The Original Standoff
The diplomatic-sporting row began immediately after India secured an emphatic victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, defeating their rivals for the third time in the tournament.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed late Sunday that the Indian team made a “conscious decision” not to accept the trophy from Naqvi, citing his dual role as a senior political leader of a country with strained relations with India. Saikia had made it clear that while India refused the presentation from Naqvi, he had no right to “take away the trophy and medals” meant for the winning team, calling the act “very unfortunate and unsportsmanlike.”
Saikia further announced that the BCCI plans to lodge a “serious and strong protest” against the ACC Chairman’s conduct during the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Conference in November. No decision was reached on the trophy’s handover during the latest ACC meeting.know more
