BCCI Seeks Return Of Asia Cup Trophy After India Declines To Accept It From ACC Chief Mohsin Naqvi

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally written to Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, requesting the return of the Asia Cup trophy after controversy over the post-match presentation marred India’s victory in Dubai.

India clinched the Asia Cup title by defeating Pakistan by five wickets, but the team declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s Interior Minister.

According to reports, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board is waiting for Naqvi’s response. He added that if Naqvi fails to respond, the BCCI will escalate the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) through formal communication.

“We are going step by step with the process and will keep pursuing the matter,” Saikia said.

Before the presentation, the Indian team management had asked who would be presenting the trophy and expressed readiness to receive it from Khalid Al Zarooni, Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, instead. However, Naqvi reportedly rejected this request.

During the ceremony, Indian players Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma accepted their individual awards from other dignitaries.

When Naqvi appeared on stage for the final handover, the Indian team refused to accept the main trophy, prompting officials to quietly remove it from the venue, leaving the champions without their prize.

BCCI Lodges Protest at ACC Meeting

The issue subsequently raised during an ACC meeting on September 30, where BCCI lodged a strong protest over the handling of the presentation and the ‘unnecessary drama’ surrounding the event.

Representing India at the meeting, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla questioned Naqvi’s conduct, reportedly stating, “Why was the trophy not handed over to the winning team? The ACC trophy is not the personal property of any individual.”

The episode has escalated into a formal diplomatic standoff within Asian cricket, as the BCCI asserts that the Asia Cup trophy rightfully belongs to the Indian team and demands its immediate return.

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