The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to raise a “very strong protest” at the upcoming ICC meeting in November regarding the actions of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi. During the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai, Naqvi walked away with the trophy after the Indian team refused to accept it from him.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia explained the decision, emphasizing that India could not take the trophy from someone who is “waging a war against the country.” India secured a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the summit clash, with Tilak Varma scoring an unbeaten 69 and being named Player of the Match.
“So far as the trophy is concerned, trophy distribution, India cannot take the trophy from the person who is waging a war against our country,” Saikia stated. He added, “We have taken a decision not to accept the trophy but that does not allow the gentleman to take away the trophy and the medals to his hotel.”
Saikia described Naqvi’s actions as “unexpected, very childish in nature” and confirmed that the BCCI will “launch a very strong protest with ICC in the forthcoming ICC meeting to be held in Dubai in the first week of November.” Naqvi also holds the positions of Pakistan Cricket Board chief and Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
Celebrating India’s Dominant Asia Cup Run
Despite the off-field controversy, Saikia lauded the Indian team’s stellar performance throughout the tournament. “India won all the seven matches at the group stage. India won all the three matches. Thereafter in the group of four they won the matches and finally also,” he said. Highlighting India’s dominance over Pakistan, he added, “Out of these seven matches, India won against Pakistan 3-0. So this is a big victory and (a) big time cricket achievement for the country.”
Following Government Policy Amid Tensions
Addressing India’s participation in the tournament despite tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, Saikia explained that the BCCI followed government directives. “...when it is a bilateral tournament, India is not going to play against Pakistan or any other hostile country and BCCI has been doing it for last 12 to 15 years,” he said.
He elaborated, “And now the Government has said that in multinational tournaments — Asia Cup is a multinational tournament –, or an international tournament where a lot of other countries are also involved. In those tournaments, Indian team, whether it is cricket or football, we have to play.”
Saikia emphasized that participation was necessary to avoid penalties from international federations. Reflecting on the team’s three-match sweep of Pakistan, he said, “Today, with this handsome win over Pakistan and the thumping victory of 3-0, I am sure we will bring a lot of happiness to our people. The country is really proud of the performance of Indian cricket team.”
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