India defeated Pakistan for the third time in the competition, but the on-field dominance was overshadowed by the off-field standoff as India declined to accept the trophy from Pakistani politician and President of the Asian Cricket Council Mohsin Naqvi on September 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP
The impasse over the presentation of the Asia Cup trophy to champion India remained unresolved during the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Board meeting on Tuesday (September 30, 2025), with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) staging a walkout in protest.
The Hindu understands that BCCI representatives Rajeev Shukla, vice-president, and former treasurer Ashish Shelar — both of whom joined the meeting virtually — logged out after ACC president Mohsin Naqvi did not propose handing over the trophy and winners’ medallions to the Indian team. With the walkout, the ACC Board refrained from passing any resolution on the matter.
According to a BCCI insider, the disagreement began right at the start of the meeting. “The ACC chief in his opening address did not congratulate the Indian team for winning the tournament. The BCCI forced him to insert these remarks,” the official, seeking anonymity, told The Hindu.
“And once he didn’t offer to respectfully present the Indian team with the trophy and the medals, the BCCI strongly protested and logged out of the meeting,” the official said.
The row has intensified an already fraught relationship between the cricket boards of India and Pakistan. It comes just four months after renewed border tensions between the two countries and adds to the list of controversies that have shadowed Indo-Pak matches in recent years.
Sunday’s (September 28, 2025) final in Dubai saw India defeat Pakistan for the third time in the competition, but the on-field dominance was overshadowed by the off-field standoff. India declined to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and is an influential member of the Pakistan government.
The deadlock delayed the post-match ceremony by nearly 90 minutes, ultimately ending with India neither receiving the trophy nor the medals. The silverware was instead taken away by ACC officials, leaving the champions without the traditional crowning moment.
Published – September 30, 2025 10:06 pm IST
