The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan ended on a high note for Indian cricket fans as the Men in Blue lifted the title. However, the post-match celebrations took a dramatic turn when Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi walked away with the trophy. The controversy has now escalated into a tug of war between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Naqvi, with the trophy still in Dubai and not yet in India’s possession.
The Trophy Standoff in Dubai
According to reports, Naqvi carried the trophy and the winners’ medals to his hotel room in Dubai after India’s refusal to accept the silverware directly from his hands. The Indian players celebrated their victory without the physical presence of the trophy, a rare and somewhat humiliating sight for a champion team.
Currently, the trophy is reported to be in the same Dubai hotel where Naqvi is staying. The BCCI, keen to avoid further embarrassment, is said to be exploring diplomatic ways to bring the trophy back to India. One of the plans under consideration involves engaging other cricket boards affiliated with the ACC to mediate and convince Naqvi to deposit the trophy at the ACC headquarters in Dubai Sports City, from where it could be formally handed over to India.
BCCI’s Firm Stand
The BCCI has made its position crystal clear. Officials believe that Naqvi has no authority to personally hold onto the trophy and that such behavior tarnishes the credibility of the ACC. In fact, sources within the Indian board have confirmed that Naqvi’s days as ACC chairman are “numbered.” The BCCI is preparing to launch a campaign to have him removed from the top role when cricket’s powerbrokers convene at the ICC Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled in November.
A senior BCCI source quoted by Dainik Jagran stated: “Naqvi cannot take the trophy to his hotel. This is completely against the spirit of the game. We will ensure that such conduct does not go unchallenged. A person who indulges in such acts should not be allowed in international cricket’s top institutions.”
Naqvi’s Condition
Meanwhile, reports from Cricbuzz suggest that Naqvi is not unwilling to hand over the trophy but has put forward a firm condition. He reportedly wants a fresh ceremony to be organised where he can personally present the trophy to the Indian team. For Naqvi, this appears to be a matter of prestige and political positioning. However, given the strained relations between India and Pakistan — both politically and in cricket — the BCCI is highly unlikely to agree to such a demand.
For the BCCI, conceding to Naqvi’s condition would mean setting a precedent that allows individuals to hold the game hostage to personal or political agendas. The board has so far maintained its silence on the matter officially, but the behind-the-scenes maneuvering suggests that they are determined to avoid giving in.
Political Undertones
This controversy is not merely about a cricket trophy. It carries clear political undertones. Mohsin Naqvi is not only the PCB chairman but also a significant political figure in Pakistan. His insistence on a ceremony could be seen as a symbolic assertion of Pakistan’s role in the tournament and its governance structure. On the other hand, the BCCI, being the most influential cricket board globally, is unwilling to let such symbolism come at the expense of India’s sporting pride.
The episode also exposes the fragile dynamics within the ACC. While the council was set up to strengthen regional cricketing ties, the Naqvi incident highlights how political rivalries can spill over into sports, creating unnecessary tensions that overshadow the game itself.
The Road Ahead
What happens next remains uncertain. For now, the Asia Cup 2025 trophy is stuck in Dubai, far from the Indian team that earned it on the field. If mediation efforts succeed, the trophy may quietly make its way to the ACC office and eventually to India without further drama. However, if Naqvi continues to push for a ceremony, the standoff could drag on longer and even dominate discussions at the ICC’s November AGM.
For the BCCI, the immediate priority is to recover the trophy without bowing down to Naqvi’s conditions. The long-term goal, however, seems to be Naqvi’s removal from the ACC chairmanship. With India’s strong influence in global cricket politics, this outcome appears increasingly likely.
Impact on India-Pakistan Cricket Relations
This controversy adds another layer of strain to the already tense cricketing relationship between India and Pakistan. Bilateral series between the two nations remain suspended due to political reasons, with their encounters limited to ICC and ACC events. Incidents like this only widen the trust deficit, making any future revival of bilateral cricket even more difficult.
For fans, the focus ideally should have been on celebrating India’s triumph and the players’ performance. Instead, the trophy drama has shifted attention away from the sport to administrative tussles. Many Indian fans have expressed their frustration on social media, questioning how the champions could be left celebrating without the trophy.
Conclusion
The Asia Cup 2025 has ended, but the controversy surrounding its trophy continues to unfold. With Mohsin Naqvi holding onto the silverware and insisting on a ceremony, and the BCCI refusing to entertain such conditions, the issue has escalated into a major standoff. The coming weeks will determine whether diplomacy or confrontation will resolve the matter. Either way, the episode underscores the delicate intersection of politics and cricket in South Asia, where even a trophy can become a tool of power play.
References
Dainik Jagran
Cricbuzz
Media Reports
