Asia Cup Trophy Row: Mohsin Naqvi Faces Heat at ICC Meet

The cricketing world’s most awkward trophy handover saga has just entered its most critical phase. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has landed in Dubai for the high-stakes ICC Board meeting, where the unresolved issue of the Asia Cup trophy is set to dominate the agenda . The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to formally escalate its complaint, demanding the immediate return of the coveted prize that has been stuck in a political and administrative limbo since India’s victory in the final.

Table of Contents

• The Trophy That Wasn’t Handed Over
• Mohsin Naqvi: The Man at the Center
• BCCI Stands Firm in Dubai
• What’s at Stake at the ICC Meeting?
• Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Cricket Diplomacy
• Sources

The Trophy That Wasn’t Handed Over

The controversy began in September 2025, right after India defeated Pakistan in a thrilling T20 Asia Cup final. In a move that sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, the Indian team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi . The reason? Naqvi, at the time, was not only the PCB Chairman but also the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan’s Interior Minister. The BCCI deemed it inappropriate to receive the trophy from a figure holding such intertwined political and administrative roles, viewing it as a potential conflict of interest .

Since that moment, the trophy has remained in Naqvi’s possession, with a series of failed attempts to arrange a formal handover ceremony. A proposed ceremony in Dubai on November 5 was reportedly rejected by the BCCI, further deepening the rift . This prolonged delay has now forced the issue onto the global stage of the ICC.

Mohsin Naqvi: The Man at the Center

Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi is a figure of immense influence in Pakistan. A prominent media personality turned politician, he currently serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and was appointed unopposed as the PCB Chairman in February 2024 for a three-year term . His simultaneous leadership of the PCB and the ACC—a position he assumed in July 2025—has been the crux of the controversy .

His multi-hatted role has raised serious questions about governance and neutrality in Asian cricket administration. Critics argue that a single individual should not wield such concentrated power across political, national, and continental cricket bodies, a concern that the BCCI has now brought to the ICC’s doorstep.

BCCI Stands Firm in Dubai

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has been unequivocal in his stance. He confirmed that the board had sent a formal letter to the ACC over ten days ago but received no response . Saikia has made it clear that the BCCI’s patience is wearing thin: “If we don’t receive the trophy by [a certain deadline], then we’ll take it to the ICC,” he stated .

Their primary demand is simple: the Asia Cup trophy must be returned to its rightful winners without any further conditions or ceremonial complications. The BCCI is expected to use the ICC Board meeting as a platform to not only resolve the immediate trophy issue but also to seek clarity on the protocols for future handovers to prevent a similar situation from arising .

What’s at Stake at the ICC Meeting?

The ICC meeting in Dubai is far more than a routine administrative gathering. It is a pivotal moment for cricket’s governing body to assert its authority and uphold the sport’s integrity. The stakes are high for all parties involved:

• For the BCCI: A matter of principle and the rightful recognition of their team’s victory.
• For the PCB and Mohsin Naqvi: Their credibility and reputation on the global cricketing stage are on the line.
• For the ICC: Its ability to mediate between its most powerful and financially significant members will be tested.

A failure to resolve this could set a dangerous precedent, allowing internal political dynamics of a member nation to interfere with the celebratory traditions of international sport. The outcome of this meeting could also have ripple effects on other sensitive issues, such as the upcoming Champions Trophy, where India-Pakistan participation remains a delicate topic .

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Cricket Diplomacy

The standoff over the Asia Cup trophy is no longer just about a piece of silverware. It has evolved into a complex issue of governance, neutrality, and respect within the international cricket framework. As Mohsin Naqvi sits at the table in Dubai, he carries the weight of not just a trophy, but the future of how cricket’s administrative boundaries are drawn. The ICC now has a critical opportunity to step in as a true global arbiter and deliver a solution that upholds the spirit of the game for all its members.

Sources

• Times of India: PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi reaches Dubai for ICC Board meeting
• ESPNcricinfo
• International Cricket Council (ICC)