The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing to take strong action against Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi after the dramatic events surrounding the Asia Cup 2025 trophy handover.
According to sources quoted by PTI, the Indian cricket board will raise the issue at the upcoming ICC meeting, seeking to have Naqvi censured and possibly removed from the ICC Board of Directors. The move comes after a string of disputes that unfolded during and after the Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan.
Asia Cup Trophy Row Sparks Diplomatic Rift
The controversy began after India’s win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final, when the Indian team reportedly refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Following the incident, Naqvi allegedly took the trophy to the ACC headquarters in Dubai and has since refused to hand it over to India or the BCCI, insisting that he will personally present it to the team.
The post-match ceremony was delayed by nearly an hour due to the standoff, and it ended abruptly as neither side backed down.
BCCI Calls Naqvi’s Conduct “Unacceptable”
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board will take the matter to the ICC, stating that the trophy is not Naqvi’s personal property and should have been officially handed to the host nation.
A senior BCCI source added, “Naqvi had no authority to hold back the trophy or make it a personal spectacle. The board will ensure his behaviour is addressed at the ICC level.”
Naqvi Faces Global Repercussions
Reports suggest that Naqvi could face censure or removal from his ICC position, with discussions likely to take place in the next ICC board meeting led by Jay Shah.
The BCCI is also considering a no-confidence motion against Naqvi within the ACC, marking a rare escalation of diplomatic tension within cricket’s top governing bodies.
The Asia Cup 2025 final was the first India-Pakistan clash after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, adding political sensitivity to the event.
Tensions had already flared earlier in the tournament when Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, followed by a heated exchange between Haris Rauf and Abhishek Sharma.
With the trophy still locked at the ACC office in Dubai, Naqvi has instructed officials not to move or hand it over without his approval.
The BCCI’s next move could set a major precedent — a clear message that cricket’s global institutions will not tolerate political grandstanding or defiance of protocol.
