The controversy surrounding the Asia Cup 2025 trophy has significantly intensified, placing Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi in a challenging position. During the recent ACC Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Dubai, Naqvi reportedly encountered strong opposition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and other prominent member nations. He faced criticism for allegedly taking possession of the Asia Cup trophy following India`s victory over Pakistan in the final match. Despite facing widespread condemnation for his actions, Naqvi, who also holds the portfolio of Pakistan`s Interior Minister, has steadfastly refused to issue an apology to the BCCI regarding the incident.
According to a detailed report published in the Times of India, Mohsin Naqvi found himself in an isolated situation during the meeting. Representatives from Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Indonesia explicitly supported India`s stance on the matter, effectively “cornering” Naqvi. The report clearly stated, “No country attending the AGM supported Naqvi`s act. In fact, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka supported India`s stance.”
The Indian team has maintained a firm position, asserting that they will not accept the trophy directly from Naqvi. Conversely, the ACC chief has reiterated his stance, insisting that the ongoing dispute can only be resolved if the Indian squad, currently led by Suryakumar Yadav, personally collects the trophy from him. He has also remained unwavering in his refusal to apologize for his actions. In a recent social media post, Mohsin Naqvi stated, “As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now. If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me.”
BCCI representatives, Ashish Shelar and Rajeev Shukla, articulated strong objections at the ACC AGM concerning the trophy not being duly presented to the Indian team after their victory against Pakistan. Although Naqvi conveyed to BCCI officials on Tuesday his readiness to present the trophy, no definitive decision was reached during the AGM, which further exacerbated the frustration among the BCCI`s top leadership. Consequently, the BCCI intends to escalate the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) during its upcoming meeting scheduled for November.
