The lingering disagreement regarding the Asia Cup trophy — which India notably declined to accept at last month’s concluding ceremony amidst growing tensions with Pakistan — persists. Reports indicate that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly approached Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi to arrange for the trophy’s official handover.
Naqvi, who also holds the position of chairman for the Pakistan Cricket Board, informed journalists in Karachi that the ACC has communicated to the BCCI that a formal ceremony is planned for November 10th in Dubai, where the Indian team will be presented with the trophy.
[Image: Pakistan’s Minister of Interior and President of the Asian Cricket Council Mohsin Naqvi stands with officials after India’s Asia Cup victory.]
According to The Dawn, Naqvi, in his capacity as ACC chief, is resolute in his decision to personally present the trophy, following the dramatic scenes that transpired after the final match between Pakistan and India.
Multiple reports corroborate November 10th as the proposed date for this event.
“There was a series of letters exchanged with the BCCI, and the ACC has conveyed to them that we are ready to host Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his players, along with BCCI official Rajiv Shukla, to receive the trophy in a ceremony on November 10 in Dubai,” Naqvi stated to the media in Karachi. He reiterated, “The ACC has written to the BCCI that a ceremony can be held in Dubai on November 10. Bring your captain and players and receive the trophy from me.”
The BCCI is reportedly contemplating raising this issue during upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) and ACC meetings. The ICC Board meeting is already scheduled to take place in Dubai from November 4th to 7th.
Notably, the ICC is currently headed by former BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
The trophy has been held at the ACC headquarters since the Indian team refused to accept it from Naqvi at the presentation ceremony, an unprecedented turn of events on September 28th that saw him depart with the prize.
Naqvi’s influential roles as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan’s interior minister are accompanied by a publicly known firm stance regarding India.
Throughout the Asia Cup, the Indian team had refrained from shaking hands with their Pakistani opponents as a gesture of respect for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Moreover, Naqvi utilized his social media platforms, which are inaccessible in India, to share various videos and memes allegedly mocking India’s military actions after the Pahalgam attack throughout the Asia Cup tournament.
In a thrilling final at the Dubai International Stadium, defending champions India secured the Asia Cup title by narrowly defeating Pakistan by five wickets in the last over.