The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has escalated its dispute with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) over the Asia Cup trophy. Notably, the board formally wrote to ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi demanding the return of the trophy to India, which had won the summit clash against Pakistan on September 28.
India and Pakistan faced each other three times during the 2025 T20 Asia Cup, with the Men in Blue winning all three encounters, including the final match. However, the series was played under a cloud of political and diplomatic tension.
Relations between the two countries had become tense after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April. After this, India launched Operation Sindoor to target terrorists in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). There were abuses and official protests on the field during the T20 tournament in UAE.
Mohsin Naqvi directs the formal ceremony of handing over the Asia Cup trophy to India
The Asian Cricket Council, following instructions from its Pakistani president Mohsin Naqvi, reportedly responded that the Asia Cup trophy could only be handed over to an Indian representative during a formal ceremony.
With Mohsin Naqvi unwilling to give up the role and BCCI refusing to give him a platform, the dispute is expected to be taken to the International Cricket Council. A board meeting is scheduled to be held in Dubai in the first week of November.
BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia said, “We had decided not to take away the trophy from the ACC chairman, who is one of the prominent leaders of Pakistan (Pakistan’s interior minister). This does not mean that the gentleman will take away the trophy and medals.”
He said, “It was very unfortunate, very disrespectful. We hope that the trophy and medals will be given to India as soon as possible. We will definitely lodge a serious complaint against this action of the ACC President in the ICC meeting.”
Tension increases between India and Pakistan in ACC meeting over Asia Cup trophy dispute
Recently, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated during the ACC meeting on September 30, when BCCI representatives Ashish Shelar and Rajeev Shukla clashed with ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi over the Asia Cup trophy dispute.
The issue was discussed among the key member boards of ACC, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. However, given Mohsin Naqvi’s position as ACC president, no immediate solution seems possible despite India’s support from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. He also did not want to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who is also the Interior Minister of Pakistan.
Shadow of India-Pakistan rivalry over Asia Cup 2025
India refused to engage Pakistani players and staff during the tournament. The PCB has requested the removal of ICC match referee Andy Pycroft, saying Pycroft had instructed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Aga not to shake hands with India’s Suryakumar Yadav during the toss of their first match.
Pakistan also reportedly considered boycotting the Group A match against UAE if the demands were not met. During the Super 4 clash, there were several arguments on the field between the players. Provocative gestures and statements from both sides prompted the ICC to impose penalties.
The rivalry continued in the Asia Cup final, where India and Pakistan met for the third time in the tournament. India emerged victorious in a thrilling contest and clinched the championship, while off-field controversies remained in the news.
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