Suryakumar Yadav and Mohsin Naqvi (Source:@ AFP and @CallMeSheri1_,x.com)
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has again triggered Indian cricket fans with a recent remark on the Asia Cup 2025 trophy. It has been more than three months since India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai, but the winning team still does not have the trophy in their hands.
The delay is unusual, normally, the winning team immediately receives the trophy during the post-match presentation ceremony. But in this case, a political and diplomatic deadlock has left the trophy untouched since September 28, 2025.
The central figure in this situation is Mohsin Naqvi, who serves multiple roles. He is the ACC President, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
Mohsin Naqvi breaks silence on Asia Cup trophy controversy
The entire controversy began when India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, refused to accept the trophy from him during the final ceremony of the Asia Cup. After this, Naqvi took the trophy with him, and from then on, the trophy has been kept with him.
In a recent interview, when asked about the current location of the trophy, Naqvi said simply, "Wherever it is, it’s safe."
According to several reports, the trophy is stored under strict security at the ICC Academy complex in Dubai, within the ACC office. Only authorised personnel have access to it, and it remains under strict supervision until the controversy is resolved.
Why did India refuse to accept the trophy from Naqvi?
The reason for India's refusal to accept the trophy from Naqvi is tied to a broader India-Pakistan cricket tension and political sensitivities. During the Asia Cup 2025, India also implemented a "no-handshake" policy against Pakistan.
This began after a terror attack in Pahalgam in May 2025, which India cited as the reason for its protest. The BCCI supported the players’ decision to avoid handshakes as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the victims and the armed forces involved in 'Operation Sindoor'.
This 'no-handshake' stance was evident at every encounter between the two teams throughout the tournament.
ICC steps in to settle Asia Cup trophy controversy
The PCB and Pakistan players expressed disappointment and lodged an official complaint with the ICC, while also requesting a standard trophy presentation to follow tradition.
With the trophy still in Dubai, no official handover date has been set. The ACC and ICC have discussed the matter in late 2025, but so far, no resolution has been reached.
Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear that the Indian team will have to accept the trophy from him personally if they wish to claim it. Until then, the Asia Cup 2025 trophy remains in the ACC office, safe but physically out of reach of the rightful winners.
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