The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing to launch a “strong and serious” protest against Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi at the upcoming ICC conference in Dubai this November. This follows a highly controversial end to the Asia Cup 2025 final, where the ACC chief’s actions prompted India to refuse the winner’s trophy.
The final’s post-match presentation was marked by high drama after the Indian team, following their five-wicket win over Pakistan, refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who is also the Interior Minister of Pakistan and the head of the PCB.
Trophy Incident Sparks Formal Protest
The controversy escalated when Naqvi reportedly ensured that the Asia Cup trophy was not handed to India by anyone else and then left the stadium premises with the trophy and medals, which were nowhere to be seen afterward.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the board’s stance, stating, “We have decided not to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the senior leaders of Pakistan. That was a conscious decision. This does not give him the right to take the trophy and the medals with him. It is extremely unfortunate and unsportsmanlike. We hope the trophy and medals will be returned to India as soon as possible.”
Saikia added, “There is an ICC conference scheduled in Dubai this November, and at that conference, we will launch a very serious and strong protest against the actions of the ACC chairman.”
Naqvi at Center of Controversy
Throughout the Asia Cup, Naqvi has been at the center of several controversies, with the BCCI accusing him of repeatedly acting in favor of Pakistan and neglecting his duties as ACC chairman.
His actions included:
- Being central to the no-handshake row between the two teams.
- Demanding the removal of match referee Pycroft.
- Threatening to boycott the tournament if his demands were not met.
- Posting a “ridiculous and distasteful video” on X, which fans interpreted as mocking Indian fans by referencing Pakistan’s claims about “Operation Sindoor” and downed Indian jets.
The BCCI views the theatrics at the post-match presentation as the “final nail in the coffin,” leading to their decision to escalate the matter at the ICC level.
Despite the controversy, the Indian team secured their ninth Asia Cup title thanks to Tilak Varma’s classy 69-run knock in the final chase, following a brilliant four-wicket haul by Kuldeep Yadav that restricted Pakistan to 146. Notably, no BCCI official was present at the Dubai International Stadium for the final, as the board was conducting its Annual General Meeting (AGM) back home.
