The controversy surrounding the Asia Cup trophy shows no signs of settling down. A significant and escalating dispute has erupted between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Ahead of next month’s International Cricket Council meeting, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has publicly demanded to personally present the Asia Cup trophy to India. He insists on a formal ceremony in Dubai on November 10, where BCCI representatives and Indian team players can receive the coveted prize directly from him, in his capacity as ACC President.
Naqvi’s stern message, reportedly sent via email to the BCCI, emphasizes the importance of adhering to established traditions. “The ACC trophy rightly belongs to the Indian cricket team and is being held in trust until such time that a BCCI office holder along with any available participating player can collect it from the ACC President,” Naqvi stated. He added, “Such collection would, of course, be accompanied with much fanfare and coverage, as there should be no deviation from established practices and no precedent should be set that undermines the spirit of the game we all love.”
This renewed push comes after a notable incident following India’s victory in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 29. The Indian men’s cricket team had conspicuously declined to collect their winners’ medals and the trophy.
The standoff was reportedly a result of underlying tensions between the Indian team and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Players refused to accept the silverware from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The post-match presentation, which itself faced an hour-long delay, proceeded with only a handful of Indian players — Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Tilak Varma — stepping forward to collect their individual performance awards. Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha accepted the runners-up cheque. Kuldeep Yadav was recognized as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, while opening batsman Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Tournament for his impressive 314 runs across seven innings at an average of 44.85.
However, the main event concluded without India ever lifting the winner’s trophy. Announcing the unusual turn of events, presenter Simon Doull stated, “I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. That concludes the post-match presentation.”