Dubai | New Delhi: The ongoing Asia Cup trophy controversy has taken a new twist, with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi offering to organise a formal trophy handover ceremony in Dubai on November 10 for the Indian men’s cricket team.
Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president and the Interior Minister of Pakistan, said the proposal follows an exchange of letters between the ACC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“There was a series of letters exchanged with the BCCI, and the ACC has conveyed to them that we are ready to host Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his players with BCCI official Rajiv Shukla to take the trophy in a ceremony on November 10 in Dubai,”
Naqvi told IANS, as quoted by Telecom Asia Sport.
BCCI Rejects Naqvi’s Proposal
However, BCCI sources have told NDTV that Naqvi’s demand for a public ceremony involving Indian players “cannot be met.”
The Indian board has reportedly objected to the idea of Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav personally collecting the trophy from Naqvi and has instead asked the ACC to hand over the trophy directly without ceremony.
Sources said the BCCI has warned Naqvi that failure to hand over the trophy could lead to the matter being escalated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) during its next board meeting, scheduled in Dubai from November 4–7.
The Trophy Standoff After India’s Asia Cup Win
The controversy stems from the Asia Cup final on September 28, when India defeated Pakistan but refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi.
Reports indicate that the players declined the presentation due to Naqvi’s position as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and his alleged support for anti-India elements. The refusal led to an hour-long standoff at the venue before Naqvi ordered the trophy to be removed from the stadium.
Later, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav symbolically mocked receiving the trophy in the dressing room and shared it with teammates. The squad returned home without taking possession of the official Asia Cup trophy.
BCCI Considers Raising Issue at ICC Meeting
According to reports, the BCCI is now considering formally raising the issue at the upcoming ICC and ACC meetings in Dubai.
“The ACC has written to the BCCI that a ceremony can be held in Dubai on November 10. Bring your captain and players and receive the trophy from me,”
Naqvi reiterated in his communication.
India vs Pakistan: The Tense Backdrop
The Asia Cup was marred by political tension between the two cricketing nations. India beat Pakistan in all three encounters, and players from both sides reportedly avoided shaking hands after the matches.
Following India’s win in the opening game, Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir — a statement that led to a 30% match fee fine by the ICC.
Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf also faced a 30% fine for displaying political slogans during the second match. Meanwhile, Sahibzada Farhan escaped punishment for his controversial “gun-firing” celebration after scoring a half-century in the same fixture.
What Lies Ahead
The Asia Cup trophy handover issue has now evolved into a diplomatic standoff between the BCCI and ACC, with both sides holding firm.
While Naqvi has extended another olive branch in the form of the Dubai event, the BCCI’s reluctance to send players suggests that the row is far from over. The ICC board meeting next month may well decide the final outcome of this long-drawn dispute.
ACC Chief Mohsin Naqvi Offers Dubai Ceremony To Hand Over Trophy To India
