In a tense meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) formally protested the conduct of chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the 2025 Asia Cup final. According to a report by News Agency, BCCI representatives successfully pressured Naqvi into issuing a belated congratulations to India for their tournament victory.
The Indian delegation, consisting of BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla and former treasurer Ashish Shelar, used the ACC gathering to demand the immediate return of the Asia Cup trophy to the council’s headquarters in Dubai. Sources indicate they warned the Pakistani side of a potential escalation to the International Cricket Council (ICC), with a meeting already scheduled for November.
The confrontation stems from the post-match ceremony in Dubai, where the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team defeated Pakistan by five wickets. Reports confirm that the Indian squad refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, citing his well-documented anti-India stance.
Despite suggestions from the BCCI for a neutral dignitary, such as the Emirates Cricket Board president or a representative from Bangladesh, to present the award, Naqvi insisted he was the sole appropriate person. This led to an unprecedented standoff, with ACC officials leaving the venue with the trophy still in their possession. The Indian team, in response, celebrated their win by symbolically raising imaginary trophies and coffee mugs with their fans.
In a further sign of protest during the ACC meeting, BCCI’s Ashish Shelar reportedly walked out of the proceedings midway. While some reports suggest Naqvi is now willing to transfer the trophy and medals, he is allegedly insisting on a separate, official function to do so.