Controversy around Mohsin Naqvi and the Asia Cup trophy presentation
After India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final, the post-match trophy presentation was cancelled in part — the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from ACC Chairman & Pakistan minister Mohsin Naqvi. What followed was a highly unusual, tense moment: significant delays, mixed messages, and a formal protest by the BCCI.
What Exactly Happened
• Following India’s win, during the customary presentation ceremony in Dubai, Mohsin Naqvi took stage as the ACC President.
• The Indian players stood back — reportedly refusing to move close or accept the trophy/medals from him. Inquiries were made about who would hand over the trophy; “ACC officials went into a huddle” when it became clear that Naqvi was the name in question.
• Fans in the stadium reportedly booed, chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” during the delay.
• The presentation was delayed by nearly an hour. Eventually, the trophy and winners’ medals were not awarded in the normal way. Instead, individual awardees accepted theirs, but the team did not take possession of the trophy at that moment.
Key Stakeholder Statements
• Suryakumar Yadav (Indian captain): He said that this was possibly the first time he had ever seen a champion team “denied its trophy,” especially one earned through effort. He emphasized that no external pressure forced the decision — it was a team choice.
• BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia: He clarified that the team had consciously decided notto accept the trophy from Naqvi, calling him “one of the main leaders of Pakistan.” Saikia also condemned what he called the improper action of Naqvi taking the trophy and medals.
• Indian Board Statement: The BCCI intends to lodge a formal protest at the next ICC meeting, declaring the ceremony’s proceedings (and especially Naqvi’s role) as unacceptable.
What’s Making It Controversial & The Bigger Picture
• Protocol vs Sentiment: Usually, in international cricket, the ACC president or equivalent dignitary hands over the trophy. The refusal breaks with that norm, showing that in some settings, symbolic representation carries as much weight as the game itself.
• Political Tensions: This isn’t happening in a vacuum. There were earlier incidents (pre-toss photo stuff, gestures, posts) which had already strained relations. So, this acted like a flashpoint, not just a spontaneous reaction.
• Public & Fan Reaction: Fans booed; social media amplified every detail. The image of India celebrating without the physical trophy was seen by many as a statement.
