A new clip circulating from Pakistan is glorifying Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council President and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, for his handling of the Asia Cup 2025 trophy. The video portrays him as a national ‘hero’ in a deeply contentious situation.
In the clip, an individual on stage recounts the event, stating: “When he was standing on the ground and the Indian team wasn’t taking the trophy, he showed immense patience. He kept standing. They (the Indian team) wished he would move so they could collect it from someone else. But they didn’t realize that our chairman is also the Interior Minister. He later handled the team like ‘terrorists’, took the trophy in his car, and brought it with him. Now, all of India is chasing the trophy.”
The narrative in Pakistani media and on various social platforms describes Naqvi’s actions as a display of strength and national pride. He is praised for ‘standing firm’ when the victorious Indian team allegedly refused to accept their trophy and medals immediately, and for then taking the trophy with him in his vehicle.
Despite India’s clear victory in the Asia Cup final on September 28th in Dubai, Naqvi’s actions transformed what should have been a respectful awards ceremony into a charged display of arrogance and political maneuvering. Weeks later, this controversial act continues to be hailed in Pakistan, further highlighting the audacious nature of the incident.
The true spirit of cricket lies in merit, effort, and honor. Naqvi’s conduct, and its subsequent celebration, are seen by many as an affront to these core values, overshadowing the athletic achievement with a spectacle of ego rather than sportsmanship.