Mohsin Naqvi during presentation (Source: @yadav_shubham12/X.com)
It turned out to be one of the most dramatic finals in Asia Cup history, not just during the game but also after the conclusion, as there was a heavy standoff between the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president, Mohsin Naqvi, and the Indian cricket team. The new reports have emerged, indicating that Naqvi is ready to hand over the trophy to the Indian team, but only if his demand is met.
PCB chairman ready to hand over the trophy and medals
The report, which the news agency, Cricbuzz, has published, mentions that the ACC president, and PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is now ready to hand over the trophy and medals to the Indian cricket team, who backed out from receiving them during the Asia Cup presentation ceremony late at night, as they did not want to receive the medals from the Pakistan's Interior Minister.
However, following Naqvi's departure from the stadium, taking the trophy and medals with him, a recent announcement made in a communication with the organisers confirmed that he would hand over the medals and the trophies, but only if his condition is met.
Well, Naqvi is understood to have informed that he will only hand over the trophy and medals to the Indian cricket team if a formal function is arranged, where the winning team is awarded medals, and where he would himself present them to the Men in Blue.
However, the report further mentions that it is highly unlikely that any of the functions will be arranged, and even if it is arranged, the Indian team is clear on their stance of not receiving the medals or anything from the Pakistan's chief.
The tension has been brewing since the beginning of the Asia Cup, when both India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads for one reason or another.
Asia Cup drama that unfolded after India's victory
The game, which took place later at night, saw India earn a crucial five-wicket victory over Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, as they chased down 147 in a classic encounter with just two deliveries to spare, lifting their ninth Asia Cup title.
Nevertheless, following the game, the controversy erupted, as the Indian team had made it clear that they would not be receiving awards apart from the one presented by sponsors, and not the PCB chairman.
Furthermore, India stated that they are ready to receive the awards from Emirates Cricket Board chairman Khalid Al Zarouni and Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam, both of whom were present at the podium but were not permitted to hand over the awards to the Indian cricket team.
This Asia Cup 2025 had multiple controversies erupt, as the Indian cricket team first refused to shake hands with the Pakistan team at the toss, and after the conclusion of the game, following which match referee Andy Pycroft were involved in a controversy, primarily for the India-Pakistan games in the group stage and the Super 4s stage.
Later, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged multiple complaints over each other's gestures. These political gestures were aimed at hurting sentiments, as the controversy then took to the final, where both teams had some ugly face-offs, and the boards were at loggerheads.
It has now been reported that the trophy, following Naqvi's walk-off from the stadium, has been kept at the ACC headquarters, which is reportedly not too far away from the stadium. The Indian team later celebrated the trophy lifting with an imaginary trophy and celebrated the occasion with a grand celebration.
Now, the BCCI has confirmed that it will take the matter to the International Cricket Council meeting, scheduled for November. Also, it will be taken up in Dubai, at the ACC meeting scheduled on the 30th of September, where multiple altercations would likely erupt in the boardroom. With all the controversies, expect no team to back down anytime soon.
.jpg?type=mq "Shubman Gill for India in Finals")
.jpg?type=mq "Arnav Chopra")