DUBAI: In a surprising development, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has rejected the repeated demand by BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla to hand over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy. Naqvi, who is also the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), asserted that the trophy should be collected by the Indian captain in person, sources informed Geo News.
Trophy Handover Dispute at ACC Meeting
The issue arose during a routine ACC meeting in Dubai, which was chaired by Naqvi. Shukla, who was virtually attending the meeting, insisted on receiving the trophy. However, Naqvi made it clear that the matter was not on the meeting’s agenda. When Shukla pressed further, Naqvi responded by suggesting that if the Indian team wanted the trophy, the Indian captain should visit the ACC office in person to collect it.
Source: Online
BCCI’s Response and Meeting Walkout
The BCCI delegation reportedly reacted sharply to Naqvi’s stance, calling for the trophy to be transferred to the International Cricket Council (ICC) headquarters instead. Tensions escalated, and other ACC members attempted to de-escalate the situation, urging the Indian officials to show restraint. However, the BCCI delegation abruptly left the meeting, cutting off their digital feed.
History of Tensions Between India and Pakistan at Asia Cup
This dispute follows a series of controversies involving the Indian team during the Asia Cup. These include incidents such as players refusing to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts and, most notably, the Indian team declining to receive the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi after their victory over Pakistan in the final. The decision not to accept the trophy was reportedly made at the direction of the BCCI.
The controversy marred the post-match ceremony, as the Men in Blue were not seen lifting the trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, especially in the context of cricket, have contributed to a growing divide between the two nations in the sport.
Unresolved Trophy Dispute
No decision has been made yet on whether the trophy will eventually be handed over to the Indian side. The dispute highlights the ongoing complexities in cricket relations between India and Pakistan, adding another chapter to the historic rivalry between the two nations.
