NEW DELHI: The controversy over the Asia Cup 2025 final trophy has intensified, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi dismissing reports that he had apologised to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Naqvi hit out at the Indian media, accusing it of spreading “fabricated propaganda”.“Indian media thrives on lies, not facts. Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologised to the BCCI nor will I ever do so,” Naqvi wrote in a post on X.“This fabricated nonsense is nothing but cheap propaganda, aimed only at misleading their own people. Unfortunately, India continues to drag politics into cricket, damaging the very spirit of the game.”Naqvi further maintained that he was prepared to conduct the presentation ceremony on the night of the final in Dubai.“As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now. If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me,” he added.As reported by TimesofIndia.com on Tuesday, ACC members met in Dubai, with BCCI representatives Rajeev Shukla (vice-president) and Ashish Shelar (former treasurer) in attendance. During the meeting, Naqvi continued to “beat around the bush” and did not commit to handing over the Asia Cup trophy or the winners’ medals to India. It is learnt that he did not even acknowledge India’s triumph in his opening remarks and only congratulated the team after Shelar intervened.
The row dates back to September 28, when India defeated Pakistan to win a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title. During the post-match ceremony, the Indian players refused to receive the trophy and medals from Naqvi, citing strained geopolitical relations. They instead requested that the presentation be conducted by the vice-chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, a request Naqvi rejected.When the delayed presentation ceremony eventually began, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma collected their individual awards from other dignitaries. However, once Naqvi stepped onto the stage, the Indian team made it clear they would not accept the trophy from him. Moments later, the trophy was quietly removed from the venue, leaving the champions without their prize.
