Asia Cup 2025: Mohsin Naqvi agrees to hand over trophy, sets one condition

Published - 30 Sept 2025, 15:31 IST | Updated - 30 Sept 2025, 15:31 IST

India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday, September 28. However, the victory celebrations were marred by controversy as the team did not receive the trophy during the presentation ceremony.

The Indian players refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister. Despite resistance from the organisers and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) officials, Naqvi insisted on presenting the trophy himself. As a result, India celebrated their title win without the silverware and have since returned home.

As per Cricbuzz, Naqvi has now agreed to hand over the trophy, but only on the condition that a formal function be arranged. He has further insisted that he alone will present the trophy and medals to the Indian team, prolonging the standoff. Given the current political tensions between India and Pakistan, and the events surrounding the final, it is unlikely that such a ceremony will be organised.

BCCI to lodge ‘strong’ protest with ICC against Mohsin Naqvi

Meanwhile, several Indian players are set to move on to their next assignments. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma have been named in the squads for the second and third unofficial ODIs against Australia A, while Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah are among those preparing for the Test series against the West Indies, beginning October 2 in Ahmedabad.

An ACC meeting is scheduled on September 30 at 4:00 PM IST, where the trophy controversy is expected to dominate discussions. The BCCI is also planning to lodge a protest with the ICC during its Annual General Meeting on November 24.

For now, the Asia Cup trophy remains at the same Dubai hotel where Naqvi is staying. He has been asked to deliver it to the ACC office in Dubai Sports City, from where it will be forwarded to India. However, it remains unclear whether the PCB Chairman will comply or even attend the meeting.