Despite India’s five-wicket triumph over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final at Dubai International Stadium, the squad left without the trophy and medals. Mohsin Naqvi, president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), refused to hand over the cutlery to anybody other than himself. The Indian team, firm in their attitude, declined to receive the award from Naqvi.
The Suryakumar Yadav-led squad rejected to accept the prize from Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Given Naqvi’s political role and his previous problematic behaviour throughout the competition, BCCI authorities believe this choice was premeditated.
While India was happy to have the trophy presented by Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni or Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam, Naqvi insisted on doing the honours himself. As a result, the winners’ trophy and medals were removed off the stage completely, allowing the Indian team to celebrate with confetti and fireworks.
Meanwhile, Mohsin Naqvi has been involved in a number of issues during this year’s Asia Cup.
In incidents ranging from the no-handshake row to the demand that match referee David Pycroft be removed, Khan has been accused of putting Pakistan’s interests ahead of his duties as ACC chairman. Devajit Saikia, the BCCI secretary, called his decision to deprive India their rightful trophy unsportsmanlike and unacceptable.
It is extremely unfortunate and unsportsmanlike: Devajit Saikia
According to an India Today report, the ACC chair left the venue with the trophy and medals. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that it will file a serious and strong protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) during its upcoming conference in Dubai this November.
“We have decided not to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the senior leaders of Pakistan. That was a conscious decision. This does not give him the right to take the trophy and the medals with him. It is extremely unfortunate and unsportsmanlike. We hope the trophy and medals will be returned to India as soon as possible. There is an ICC conference scheduled in Dubai this November, and at that conference, we will launch a very serious and strong protest against the actions of the ACC chairman. India is in conflict with that country, and we were expected to receive the trophy from a leader representing them.
We cannot accept a trophy from someone who represents a nation currently at odds with ours. That was our stance. But that does not mean the gentleman is entitled to walk away with the trophy and medals meant for our team and take them to his hotel room. That is completely unacceptable. We hope he reconsiders, and we will be registering a strong protest against his behaviour during today’s prize distribution ceremony,” Saikia said.
The BCCI secretary further spoke about the long-term stance on playing against arch-rivals Pakistan, revealing the team will face the nation only in multinational tournaments.
“BCCI has followed the spirit and the policy formulated by the Government of India regarding all games.So when it is a bilateral tournament, India is not going to play against Pakistan or any other hostile country. And the BCCI has been doing it for the last 12 to 15 years. The Government has said that in multinational tournaments, whether it is cricket or football, we have to play. Otherwise, the federation will be banned by international federations. So we followed the policy of the Central Government,” he added.
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