Asia Cup Controversy: Mohsin Naqvi Agrees to Return Trophy, But One Condition

Image Source: X

Mohsin Naqvi Agrees to Return Trophy, But One Condition: India won the Asia Cup 2025 final by defeating Pakistan, but despite the victory, the Indian team returned home without the trophy. The joy of this victory turned into a major controversy, rooted in the conduct of Mohsin Naqvi, head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

After refusing to hand over the trophy and taking it back to Pakistan, the issue is now gaining momentum in the cricket world. The BCCI has threatened strict action, while Naqvi has also set a condition for returning the trophy.

Controversy erupted after the final: Why did Mohsin Naqvi take the trophy?

Image Source: X

After the resounding victory over Pakistan in the final, the Indian team took a major decision and refused to accept the trophy from the Pakistani official. This decision was taken due to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, due to which Team India not only refused to shake hands with Pakistani players but also refused to accept the trophy from any Pakistani official. Indian team captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, after which Naqvi went to the ACC headquarters with the trophy.

BCCI's strict warning and demand

After the trophy was kept at the Asian Cricket Council headquarters, the BCCI has taken a firm stance on the matter:

• Official email and demand for return: The BCCI has written an official email to ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, asking him to return the Asia Cup trophy to India as soon as possible.
• Preparing to raise the matter with the ICC: According to sources, the BCCI has issued a fresh warning to Naqvi that if the trophy is not returned to India, the matter will be raised at the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting next month.
• Condemnation at the ACC meeting: During the ACC meeting on September 30, the BCCI condemned Naqvi's behavior. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla had insisted that the Asia Cup 2025 trophy should be immediately handed over to the victorious Indian team and placed under the ACC.
• Criticism by Saikia: BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia had strongly criticized Naqvi's actions, calling them 'inappropriate' and 'unfortunate'. He had said that it was a "deliberate strategy" not to accept the trophy from the ACC President, but "that does not give him the right to take the trophy and medals with him. This is extremely unfortunate and against the spirit of the game."

Also Read: Top 5 Batsmen with the Most ODI Runs in India vs Australia History

Mohsin Naqvi's condition: A ceremony is necessary for handing over the trophy

Image Source: X

Following mounting pressure and a warning from the BCCI, Mohsin Naqvi has agreed to hand over the trophy to India, but he has set one condition:

• Demand for a ceremony: According to Pakistani journalist Faizan Lakhani, Naqvi has said that a special ceremony should be held in the first week of November.
• Presence of an Indian player is mandatory: According to Naqvi's condition, one player from the Indian team must be present at the ceremony and receive the Asia Cup trophy from him.
• Old clarification: Earlier, at the ACC meeting, Naqvi had said that he was waiting to present the trophy, but Team India did not arrive, which made him feel "insulted" and he brought the trophy.

Conclusion

The controversy over the Asia Cup trophy has now taken an administrative and political turn. The BCCI plans to raise the issue as a formal protest at the ICC meeting in Dubai in November. It remains to be seen whether the BCCI accepts Naqvi's condition or whether the matter reaches the ICC forum, but it is clear that the Asia Cup trophy, a symbol of victory, should be returned to the Indian team soon.

Also Read: Why was Mohammad Rizwan removed from captaincy? Shaheen Afridi Takes Over

---