India may have celebrated their record ninth Asia Cup title after beating Pakistan in the final, but the real drama began after the match ended. What should have been a proud moment for Indian players turned into a political cricket storm, with ACC and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi at the centre of it all.
After the final in Dubai, the Indian team refused to collect the winners’ medals and trophy from Naqvi, making it clear they would not accept the silverware from him. In an unprecedented move, the trophy and medals were taken away from the ground instead of being handed to the winning team. This sparked massive outrage among fans, cricket experts, and officials.
Naqvi’s Apology — But With Conditions
Facing criticism from all sides, Naqvi later apologised to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
He admitted:
“What happened should not have taken place.”
However, the apology came with a twist. Naqvi refused to return the trophy directly, insisting that India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav must travel to Dubai to collect it. This demand left Indian officials fuming, as it contradicted the spirit of fair play and respect in international cricket.
The BCCI was quick to respond. Officials made it clear that if the team had refused the trophy in front of Naqvi, they certainly would not travel abroad to collect it from him now. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia had already written to ACC requesting that the trophy and medals be delivered to the council’s Dubai office for collection.
When no satisfactory answer came during the Asian Cricket Council’s online meeting, Indian representatives Rajeev Shukla and Ashish Shelar walked out in protest. According to reports, Naqvi even failed to congratulate the Indian side in his opening remarks, further straining relations.
Also read: India Finally Celebrates with Asia Cup Trophy After Controversial Drama with Mohsin Naqvi
The trophy fiasco has highlighted the growing tensions within Asian cricket administration. For many, Naqvi’s dual role as a political figure and cricket administrator has blurred the lines, leading to unnecessary disputes. Even former players like Shahid Afridi criticised Naqvi, saying he must choose between politics and cricket.
For now, the Asia Cup 2025 trophy remains locked in the ACC office, while India’s players continue to celebrate their unbeaten campaign without the silverware in hand. The situation has left fans disappointed, as the focus shifted from India’s dominant cricketing performance to an avoidable off-field controversy.
As a follower of the game, I believe this incident shows how administrative ego can rob players of their rightful moments of glory. Cricket should always remain above politics, and trophies should be handed to the players who earn them on the field — not trapped in boardroom power games. Unless the ACC resolves this quickly, the Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered as much for its trophy dispute as for India’s emphatic win.
