Following India’s victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final, controversy has erupted over the trophy handover. Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has refused to release the trophy without a formal presentation ceremony, despite mounting pressure from the Indian cricket board.
During the post-match proceedings, Indian players declined to accept the trophy from Naqvi, citing discomfort with his dual role and current diplomatic tensions. As a result, the trophy was not presented on the field and remains secured at the ACC headquarters in Dubai under Naqvi’s directive.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has since lodged a formal request for immediate handover of the trophy and winner’s medals. The BCCI also hinted at escalating the issue to the International Cricket Council (ICC) if a resolution is not reached promptly.
Other ACC member boards, including those from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, have reportedly sided with India, urging Naqvi to abandon the condition of an in-person presentation.
Despite the growing pressure, Naqvi insists that the formal handover ceremony is essential to uphold the dignity of the tournament. He maintains that the Indian captain must be physically present to receive the trophy in a proper official setting.
This standoff has not only added another layer of complexity to the ever-tense India–Pakistan cricket rivalry but also sparked broader debates about administrative conduct and neutrality in international sports governance.
