The Asia Cup 2025 final has ignited a fresh controversy, with former Pakistan cricket star Mohammad Yousuf stepping forward to publicly support Mohsin Naqvi, who holds significant roles as both the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The drama unfolded after India clinched a five-wicket victory against arch-rivals Pakistan in the final. However, the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, made headlines by declining to accept the trophy from Naqvi during the presentation ceremony. This unexpected refusal led to Naqvi’s departure with the trophy, while the Indian players celebrated their triumph separately. The incident has since drawn sharp criticism, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly calling for Naqvi’s removal from his ACC position.
Mohammad Yousuf, no stranger to controversy himself, having previously faced backlash for a critical remark about Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav during a live broadcast, has now weighed in on the trophy dispute. “What Chairman Sir (Mohsin Naqvi) is doing is absolutely right. He has taken the correct stand,” Yousuf stated during an interview with Pakistani channel Samaa TV. “India should have taken the trophy at that moment. According to ACC and ICC rules, he was standing there as ACC chief, and the trophy should have been handed through his hands only.”
Yousuf didn’t hold back, further adding, “You didn’t take it at that moment, so what’s the hurry now? You should have gone and collected it from his office if you remembered that you had to take the trophy. At the ground, you were busy making your films. I said it that day too — they are not coming out of the filmy world. This is sports, this is cricket; movies won’t be playing here. In movies, there are retakes and all, but becoming a hero in movies is a different thing. You are playing a genuine sport here, and now you are saying you want the trophy.”
This escalating controversy continues to captivate cricket enthusiasts, underscoring the simmering tensions between the cricket administrations of India and Pakistan.