Asia Cup Trophy Controversy: Did Naqvi Return It to India or Pass to UAE?

The Asia Cup 2025 ended with lots of drama and controversies, along with India's dominating victory against Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. A post-match controversy erupted when Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Mohsin Naqvi did not hand over the trophy to the India National Cricket Team.

India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 Final by 5 wickets, and it was the third time that India beat Pakistan in a tournament. The Player of the Match was Tilak Verma for his heroic 69-run innings. He stood at one end and showed a winning temperament, hence leading his team to register their 9th Asia Cup trophy.

How did the Controversy start?

After India defeated Pakistan in the final, players and Indian officials expected the trophy presentation ceremony. However, tensions spilled over when the Indian Team refused to accept the trophy directly from Naqvi, who has a politically charged position tied to the Pakistan government.

Naqvi then left the presentation in anger, taking the Asia Cup trophy and medals with him to his Dubai Hotel room instead of handing them over to the Suryakumar Yadav-led team. This incident sparked outrage from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which called Naqvi's action "unsportsmanlike."

Naqvi's response and Conditions

Mohsin Naqvi publicly denied apologizing for his actions and insisted that politics was being dragged into cricket. He stated, "If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me."

Naqvi set new conditions, saying India could pick up the trophy at the ACC office, but refused to deliver or send it directly to the Indian Team. He claimed he had done nothing wrong and said he would never apologize to the BCCI.

Complication matters. During the ACC AGM, Naqvi reportedly congratulated other nations but did not acknowledge India's Asia Cup victory until forced to do so by BCCI officials. The Trophy and medals remained in his possession, with no clear solution reached; he had done nothing wrong and said he would never apologize to the BCCI.

As of now, the Asia Cup trophy has still not been handed to India. Mohsin Naqvi remains defiant, insisting on his conditions. The ACC has expressed regret over the fiasco, and the BCCI has demanded a formal handover and may escalate its protest to the ICC. The cricketing world is watching closely, eager for resolution and hoping the game returns to its tradition of fair play, respect, and celebration.

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