The Asia Cup trophy—meant to symbolize cricketing unity across the continent—is now at the center of a tense diplomatic impasse. According to a report by the Times of India, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has moved the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters to his personal custody in Abu Dhabi, following India’s refusal to accept it amid ongoing cross-border tensions.
Asia Cup Trophy Stuck in Diplomatic Standoff
Despite repeated requests from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Naqvi is insisting that an Indian player must physically attend a formal ceremony to receive the trophy. India, however, has declined to participate in any such event involving Naqvi, citing political sensitivities and strained bilateral relations.
As a result, the handover remains unresolved—even after a recent ACC meeting aimed at de-escalating the situation. The trophy, awarded to India after their victory in the 2023 Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, still hasn’t been officially presented to the champions.
What Led to This Impasse?
The controversy stems from the complex intersection of sports and geopolitics. While the ACC had hoped the trophy presentation would be a routine formality, the involvement of Naqvi—a high-profile Pakistani politician recently appointed PCB chief—complicated matters.
Sources within the BCCI confirmed they had asked for a neutral intermediary or a low-key handover through ACC channels. But Naqvi reportedly rejected those options, framing the presentation as a matter of “protocol and respect.”
“If India won the cup, they should send someone to receive it properly,” Naqvi was quoted as saying during an informal press interaction in Dubai.
Indian officials, however, view any public ceremony with Naqvi as politically untenable given the current climate between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Timeline of the Trophy Dispute
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept 17, 2023 | India defeats Sri Lanka to win Asia Cup in Colombo |
| Oct 2023 – Aug 2025 | No formal trophy handover; ACC holds trophy |
| Early Oct 2025 | Mohsin Naqvi assumes PCB chairmanship |
| Mid-Oct 2025 | Naqvi relocates trophy to Abu Dhabi |
| Oct 24, 2025 | ACC meeting fails to resolve handover issue |
Cricket Community Reacts
Former players and administrators have expressed dismay. “This is not how you treat a symbol of sporting excellence,” said former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar. “The trophy belongs to the team, not to political posturing.”
Meanwhile, neutral ACC members—including representatives from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the UAE—have urged both boards to find a quiet, dignified resolution before the 2025 Champions Trophy, where India and Pakistan are expected to face off again.
What Happens Next?
With no Indian representative willing to attend a Naqvi-hosted event, and the PCB refusing to back down, the trophy remains in limbo. Some speculate the ACC may intervene directly and present it during an ICC event. Others suggest a private handover in a third country like Dubai or Singapore.
Until then, the gleaming Asia Cup sits not in a display case at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai—but in a secure location in Abu Dhabi, emblematic of how deeply politics can entangle even the most celebrated moments in sport.