Mumbai: A significant diplomatic row erupted in the cricketing world following India’s Asia Cup victory. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lodged a vehement protest against Mohsin Naqvi, President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and also Pakistan’s interior minister, for his actions regarding the Asia Cup trophy and medals.
During a virtual ACC Annual General Meeting held in Dubai, BCCI representatives, Vice-president Rajeev Shukla and former treasurer Ashish Shelar, “cornered” Naqvi on an issue that was not originally on the agenda. The Indian delegation raised a strong objection to Naqvi’s act of taking away the Asia Cup trophy and medals on Sunday night in Dubai, shortly after India defeated Pakistan in the final match by five wickets.
When pressed to return the accolades rightfully won by India, Naqvi suggested that Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav could collect them from the ACC office in Dubai. However, the BCCI made its stance unequivocally clear: the Indian captain would not accept the trophy directly from Naqvi. The firm argument put forth by Shukla and Shelar visibly put Naqvi on the defensive, leading to a subdued response from him during the meeting.
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul proposed deferring the matter for later resolution. Consequently, the issue has been postponed, with future discussions expected to involve Naqvi and the BCCI, likely with a mediator.
A source indicated, “We are hopeful that better sense will prevail on Naqvi, and he will take the necessary steps. Otherwise, India is prepared to lodge a formal complaint against him with the International Cricket Council (ICC).”
The source further elaborated on the confrontation, stating that Naqvi was reportedly under the mistaken impression that, as ACC president, he was solely responsible for presenting the trophy. However, BCCI representatives countered this, recalling that in 2022, it was Sri Lanka Cricket president Shammi Silva who presented the trophy to the then Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka, not Jay Shah, who served as the ACC chairman at that time. The BCCI’s firm position was also influenced by Naqvi’s recent anti-India social media posts.
Significantly, no other country attending the AGM supported Naqvi’s actions. In fact, cricketing bodies from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka reportedly lent their support to India’s principled stance in this evolving controversy.
This incident has also brought to light “Inside details of how PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi ran away with the Asia Cup trophy!” which has been a point of contention.