Dubai: The Asia Cup trophy has become the latest flashpoint in a tense cricketing rivalry, with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi insisting on a formal presentation ceremony in Dubai to hand the silverware to champions India. The move follows India's alleged refusal to accept the trophy directly from Naqvi after the September final, a decision reportedly influenced by political sensitivities.
The dispute, which has already drawn the cricket boards of Sri Lanka and Afghanistan to support India, shows no signs of an easy resolution.
The backstory:
A strained final: The controversy began after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai.
India's refusal: The Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, reportedly declined to accept the trophy directly from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's interior minister. This was seen by some as a protest against the political backdrop and heightened tensions during the tournament.
Naqvi's counter-offer: In response to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requesting the trophy be sent to India, Naqvi has demanded a formal ceremony be held at the ACC headquarters in Dubai.
Current status:
Naqvi's stance: A top ACC source told PTI that Naqvi is insistent that a BCCI representative collect the trophy from him at the ACC headquarters in Dubai, a condition the BCCI has rejected.
BCCI's escalation threat: The BCCI has warned Naqvi that it will raise the issue at the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in November if the trophy is not handed over. The Indian board is being backed by Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, with sources indicating that the BCCI plans to lodge a formal and strong protest against Naqvi's conduct.
Trophy's whereabouts: The trophy remains locked away at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters in Dubai.
Implications:
The ongoing stand-off has added a bitter twist to the cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan and has put the Asia Cup in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The matter is now set to move to the global stage, with the ICC potentially having to intervene to resolve the dispute.
