Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, reportedly refused to accept the trophy directly from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. In an unusual move, Naqvi allegedly took the trophy and winners’ medals back to his hotel.
Since then, the trophy and medals were transferred to the UAE Cricket Board, but there is still no clarity on when or how India will officially receive them. According to the Press Trust of India, the trophy is currently secured at the ACC headquarters in Dubai, with strict instructions that it cannot be moved or handed over without Naqvi’s personal approval.
The incident has escalated tensions, especially amid already strained India-Pakistan relations following the Pahalgam terror attack. Observers note that Naqvi’s decision to take the trophy disrupted the ceremonial norms of the ACC and left the Indian team without a formal presentation.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strongly condemned Naqvi’s actions, calling them a breach of standard protocols that undermines the integrity of the sport. BCCI officials have stated that they plan to raise the matter with the International Cricket Council (ICC) during its November meeting and are pushing for Naqvi’s removal from his ACC position, citing repeated conduct violations.
As of now, there is no official timeline for when India will finally receive the Asia Cup 2025 trophy.
