The aftermath of the 2025 Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan has been mired in controversy. Despite India emerging victorious, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President, Mohsin Naqvi, refused to hand over the trophy to the winning team.
Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, reportedly took the trophy and secured it at the ACC headquarters, asserting that it should not be moved or handed over without his approval. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) considers this a breach of protocol, emphasizing that the trophy is not Naqvi’s personal property.
This incident has further highlighted the political tensions that overshadowed the tournament, which already saw India adopting a “no handshake” policy during matches and on-field confrontations escalating alongside heated social media exchanges.
BCCI Moves to Hold Naqvi Accountable
In response, the BCCI has declared its intention to escalate the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC). Officials plan to formally censure Naqvi and may even push for his removal from the ICC’s board of directors. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stressed that Naqvi was not authorized to present the trophy personally and failed to transfer it to the Indian team or the BCCI, the event’s official host.
Sources within the BCCI stated that the organization will ensure Naqvi is held accountable for this unauthorized act, signaling a firm stance against any political interference in cricket administration. The BCCI’s strategy reflects a broader effort to maintain the integrity of the sport despite the politically charged atmosphere surrounding the tournament.
On-Field and Off-Field Tensions
The Asia Cup, which concluded on September 28, saw heightened friction between the two teams. The Indian squad, led by Surya Kumar Yadav, refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi during the prize distribution, delaying the ceremony for nearly an hour.
The rivalry was intense throughout the tournament, particularly given recent geopolitical incidents like the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. On-field confrontations, such as heated exchanges between players Haris Rauf and Abhishek Sharma, along with politically charged gestures by Pakistani players during the Super 4 stage, added fuel to the controversy.
Additionally, Naqvi’s repeated political statements against India on social media further strained relations. Discussions between BCCI representatives and Naqvi at subsequent ACC meetings reportedly became heated, underscoring the intersection of politics and cricket in this high-stakes rivalry.
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