During the recent Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, a major controversy unfolded surrounding the Asia Cup 2025 trophy presentation. Mohsin Naqvi, who holds dual roles as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and a representative of both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the ACC, found himself at the centre of criticism.
The issue began when India, after defeating Pakistan in the Asia Cup final in Dubai, was not presented the tournament trophy. Instead, the trophy remained at the ACC’s regional office. Reports confirmed that it would later be shipped to India or collected by an Indian official.
The situation escalated after Naqvi accused Indian players of ignoring him and the trophy during the ceremony. He claimed the cricketers were busy with their phones and games, insisting that India’s captain should personally travel to Dubai to collect the silverware.
Rajeev Shukla’s Strong Objection
The meeting turned tense when BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla firmly rejected Naqvi’s stance. He said, “How could you expect our players to accept the trophy from Pakistan’s Home Minister? You mixed cricket with politics. You should have spoken to BCCI first. Our captain is in Mumbai and will not come to Dubai. Send the trophy to the ACC or ICC.”
Shukla’s response highlighted India’s disapproval of political figures being involved in the trophy handover. Cornered by the criticism, Mohsin Naqvi was forced to apologise, admitting, “You are right, it shouldn’t have happened. I’m sorry. I will send the trophy to the ICC.” Shukla then concluded, “Good, this is what you should have done earlier.” Sources revealed that the exchange was heated, with strong words exchanged before Naqvi backed down.
Fallout from the Controversy
This controversy came shortly after another flashpoint during the tournament. At the final, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Agha at the toss.
Later, during the presentation, the Indian team objected to Naqvi handing out the awards, pointing to his history of anti-India remarks. The players had instead proposed neutral officials like the UAE’s Khalid Al Zarooni or Bangladesh’s Aminul Islam to conduct the ceremony.
However, Naqvi reportedly rejected the idea outright. As a result, the Indian players waited on the ground for nearly an hour, but the issue remained unresolved. Eventually, Naqvi walked away with the trophy, leaving India’s cricketers to stage mock celebrations by pretending to lift an imaginary cup.
The incident not only caused embarrassment for the ACC but also highlighted how political tensions spilt into cricketing matters, making the trophy row one of the most controversial moments in Asia Cup history.
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