The ongoing Asia Cup trophy row has escalated into a full-blown diplomatic and administrative standoff, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) taking a firm stance against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The controversy, which began after India’s thrilling victory in the 2025 Asia Cup final, has now reached the corridors of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
What Sparked the Asia Cup Trophy Controversy?
After India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final held in Dubai, the expected trophy presentation ceremony took an unexpected turn. The BCCI refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Citing longstanding political tensions and a desire to keep sports separate from state politics, the Indian board made its position clear: the trophy should be handed over through neutral, official channels, not by a serving government minister of a rival nation .
BCCI’s Official Stance and Actions
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board has formally approached the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to resolve the issue. “We have approached ACC,” Saikia stated, highlighting their official communication. However, as of now, the BCCI claims to have received no substantive response from the ACC .
Frustrated by the lack of resolution, the BCCI is now preparing to escalate the matter at the upcoming ICC meeting. This move signals a serious intent to seek a global governing body’s intervention in what has become a significant breach of sporting protocol .
Where is the Trophy Now?
Reports indicate that the trophy was initially kept at the ACC offices in Dubai. However, it has since been moved to Abu Dhabi and is now reportedly in the personal custody of Mohsin Naqvi himself . This action has only added fuel to the fire, with critics arguing that it politicizes a symbol of sporting achievement.
Timeline of the Asia Cup Trophy Dispute
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept 30, 2025 | BCCI urges Naqvi at an ACC meeting to return the trophy to Indian players; request is refused . |
| Oct 21, 2025 | BCCI sends a formal warning to Naqvi. Trophy confirmed to be in ACC Dubai office . |
| Oct 24, 2025 | Trophy is moved from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, now in Naqvi’s custody . |
| Nov 1, 2025 | BCCI confirms it will raise the issue at the upcoming ICC meeting . |
Why the BCCI’s Position Matters
The BCCI’s refusal is not just about protocol; it’s about principle. By declining to accept the trophy from a political figure of a nation with which India has complex relations, the board is attempting to uphold the sanctity of sport. They argue that the handover should be a purely cricketing affair, managed by the ACC or another neutral cricketing body, not a political gesture.
What’s Next for the Asia Cup Trophy?
With the BCCI set to bring this issue to the ICC, the world will be watching how the global cricketing body responds. A decision from the ICC could set a crucial precedent for handling similar political-sporting entanglements in the future. For now, the gleaming Asia Cup trophy remains in limbo, a symbol of victory caught in a web of geopolitics.