 "Pakistan cricket head Mohsin Naqvi and BCCI engaged in a war of words on Tuesday over the Asia Cup trophy controversy. Image: AP")
The drama over the Asia Cup trophy is still continuing, even weeks after the tournament ended on September 28. The controversy started after India refused to accept the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) boss and the country’s interior minister, following their win against Pakistan in the final.
The post-match presentation after the final was delayed by over an hour, creating confusion among fans and commentators alike. India’s refusal to receive the trophy from Naqvi resulted in the cup being taken away without giving any proper explanation. Naqvi later told the Indian team and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to collect the trophy from him if they really want it.
Asia Cup trophy move out from ACC HQ
Now, a report has emerged claiming that the trophy has been removed from the ACC headquarters in Dubai and taken to a different location in Abu Dhabi. According to ANI, a BCCI official recently visited the ACC headquarters to ask about the trophy. Staff at the office told him that it was no longer there and was in the custody of Naqvi at a separate location in Abu Dhabi.
“A BCCI official visited ACC headquarters a few days back. When he inquired about the trophy in the ACC office, the staff told him that it has been removed from here and is in the custody of Moshin Naqvi in some place in Abu Dhabi,” sources told ANI.
The trophy controversy added to the tensions, coming after the Indian team had already refused to shake hands with Pakistani players during their three meetings in the Asia Cup 2025. Suryakumar Yadav cited the Pahalgam terror attack as the reason for the boycott. SKY even skipped the photo session with the trophy and the Pakistani captain ahead of the final.
Pakistan accused the Indian team and the BCCI of bringing politics into sport and filed a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC). However, the complaint did not lead to any major action, as SKY was only handed a fine. A few Pakistani players were also fined for controversial gestures during their second match against India, which came after they became aware of India’s intention to boycott them.