The Asia Cup 2025 final controversy deepened on Monday after Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), issued a fiery response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulatory message to Team India. T
he statement came just hours after Naqvi shocked the cricketing world by taking the Asia Cup trophy with him following India’s five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final.
PM Modi’s “Operation Sindoor” Remark
After India’s unbeaten run and dramatic win at the Dubai International Stadium, Prime Minister Modi hailed the team’s performance in a message on X (formerly Twitter).
“#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers,” the Prime Minister wrote.
The phrase “Operation Sindoor” referred to India’s retaliatory strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir earlier this year following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
Naqvi’s Strong Rebuttal
Naqvi, already under criticism for allegedly preventing the trophy from being formally presented to the Indian team, hit back at Modi’s remark with a scathing statement:
“If war was your measure of pride, history already records your humiliating defeats at Pakistan’s hands. No cricket match can rewrite the truth. Dragging war into sports only exposes your desperation and disgraces the very spirit of the game.”
The remarks are being seen as a direct attempt to politicise the Asia Cup result, with critics accusing Naqvi of mixing cricket with geopolitics.
Trophy Controversy Sparks Outrage
Following Sunday night’s match, reports emerged that Naqvi left the stadium with the Asia Cup trophy, preventing the official presentation ceremony from taking place. The BCCI has reportedly lodged a strong protest with the ACC, stating that “India cannot collect a trophy from a person who has disrespected the spirit of the game.”
Rising India-Pakistan Tensions in Cricket
This latest flashpoint adds to a series of heated incidents during the Asia Cup 2025, including on-field altercations between players and social media spats between the two boards. Former cricketers and commentators have also weighed in, with many condemning Naqvi’s actions as “unprecedented” and “unprofessional.”
