The Asia Cup 2025 trophy has been locked in Dubai under strict orders from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, according to reports from Indian media.
Sources claim Naqvi has issued clear instructions that the trophy should not be touched, moved, or handed over to anyone without his explicit permission. The directive comes amid rising tensions between cricket boards ahead of next year’s tournament.
“The trophy should not be moved without Mohsin Naqvi’s permission,” Indian media quoted PCB officials as saying.
Naqvi invites Indian team to take trophy personally
In a light yet pointed remark, Mohsin Naqvi reportedly said that the Indian cricket team is welcome to come and collect the trophy directly from him in Dubai whenever they wish.
“The Indian team can come and take the trophy from me whenever they want. They should give prior information whenever they have a plan,” Naqvi was quoted as saying.
BCCI preparing to raise issue at ICC meeting
On the other hand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has begun preparations to raise the matter at the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting scheduled for November.
According to Indian media, the BCCI intends to question the handling and management of the Asia Cup trophy and may also discuss broader concerns about hosting arrangements and governance issues related to the 2025 tournament.
“The issue will be raised in the ICC meeting in November,” Indian media confirmed.
Following the loss to India in the final match of Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan’s T20 captain Salman Ali Agha strongly condemned India’s refusal to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, calling it “an insult to cricket” and a deeply disappointing moment for the sport.
Also Read: Salman Ali Agha slams India’s trophy refusal as insult to cricket
Speaking after the final, Salman said: “If India does not take the trophy, how will it be given? What India did is not done by a good team.” He added that refusing to accept the trophy and avoiding handshakes was a “serious insult to the game.”
Salman also noted that the Indian players were simply following instructions, saying: “I have never seen anything like this in my life.”
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said his side had been denied the chance to hoist the Asia Cup trophy after it was removed from the presentation ceremony following their refusal to accept it from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Also Read: India edge Pakistan to lift 9th Asia Cup title
India had beat Pakistan by five wickets in the final at Dubai International Stadium with emotions running high between the sides following a brief military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May. The teams met three times at the tournament, with Indian players refusing to shake hands with their opponents throughout, and Sunday’s final ended in bizarre circumstances with India celebrating their win by hoisting an imaginary trophy.
“I think this is one thing which I’ve never seen since I started playing cricket and started following cricket, that a champion team is denied a trophy, and that too a hard-earned one,” Suryakumar told reporters.
“I feel we deserved it. I can’t say anything more, I’ve summed it up really well.
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Igniting a new controversy, the Indian cricket team refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also heading the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB).
The move reportedly came on the directives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Despite pressure, Naqvi remained firm on his decision to present the trophy himself, refusing to bow to India’s demands, the sources added.
The development has sparked attention during the high-profile final in Dubai, highlighting tensions off the field.
The post-match ceremony was concluded without a trophy handover to the Men in Blue.
Despite losing the Asia Cup final, Pakistan players exhibited the sportsmanship by attending the post-match ceremony and collecting medals as the tournament’s runners-up.
According to insiders, the stance was a continuation of India’s rigid approach throughout the tournament, where they insisted on conditions separate from neutral arrangements.
India became Asia Cup champions after defeating Pakistan by five wickets in the tournament final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium today.
Prior to this move, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav once again refused a customary handshake with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha at the toss today, marking the third such snub.
The handshake snub comes in the backdrop of an ongoing row between the arch-rivals, stemming from the group-stage clash, which attracted considerable attention both on and off the field.
The handshake snub comes in the backdrop of an ongoing row between the arch-rivals, stemming from the group-stage clash to the final, which attracted considerable attention both on and off the field.
