ICC set to intervene as Mohsin Naqvi drags the Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy
It has been over a month since the Men in Blue asserted their dominance as the champions of Asia. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, Team India completed an unbeaten run, defeating Pakistan thrice in the subcontinental tournament to establish themselves as the undisputed winners. However, while their arch-rivals were outplayed on the field, Pakistan found a way to cast a shadow over India’s triumphant campaign. Following their comprehensive victory in the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 final, Team India declined to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi. The PCB chief, who also serves as the Asian Cricket Council chairman, had been a contentious figure throughout the India-Pakistan diplomatic tension surrounding the event. Instead of acknowledging the champions’ position, Naqvi allegedly withheld the trophy, resulting in the ongoing and prolonged Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy.
ICC likely to form a committee to resolve the Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has officially brought up the matter of the withheld Asia Cup trophy during the ICC Board meetings held in Dubai. According to the latest reports, the ICC has shown willingness to mediate the ongoing standoff between the BCCI and ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The Men in Blue defeated their arch-rivals in the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28 in Dubai. Yet, the winning side has still not been presented with the champions’ trophy.
The silverware continues to remain with Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board. The discussions, as per the report, were conducted in a calm and respectful manner rather than in a confrontational tone. Insights from the meeting suggested that there was no tension during the exchanges while discussing the Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy. Devajit Saikia, the BCCI secretary, attended the ICC meeting as the Indian board's representative and asserted that the trophy rightfully belongs to the Team India and must be handed over without further delay.
At present, the Asia Cup trophy is believed to be held at the ACC headquarters in Dubai, and cannot be moved without explicit authorization from Mohsin Naqvi. The report further indicates that the ICC could establish a separate committee if necessary to resolve the matter. Members of the ICC Board appear to be in agreement that the situation needs swift resolution. A number of directors reportedly voiced concern that withholding a title trophy from its rightful winners reflects poorly on the governance of the sport.
Interestingly, Naqvi’s participation in the Dubai meetings remained uncertain until the very end, as he had skipped numerous ICC events in the recent past, including the annual conference in Singapore earlier in July. However, he eventually arrived at the ICC offices on Friday afternoon, and his presence became a significant point of discussion during the board deliberations.
The Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy began when the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi during the post-match ceremony of the tournament final. The refusal was linked to his position as Pakistan’s interior minister. Following India’s decision, the trophy was quietly taken away from the presentation area without any official explanation.
Roughly ten days before the ICC meeting, the BCCI had formally written to Naqvi, urging immediate handover of the trophy. Despite the communication, no affirmative reply was received. Saikia reiterated that the BCCI will not accept the trophy directly from Naqvi, stating that if India were willing to do so, the exchange would have occurred during the presentation itself. The board’s stance remains firm and unchanged.
With the ICC now stepping into the situation, the cricket community is waiting to see how the matter unfolds. Although India are the undisputed champions of the sub-continental tournament, the winners have now gone almost six weeks without receiving the Asia Cup 2025 trophy they earned convincingly on the field.
