Asia Cup Trophy Remains Under Lock After Presentation Ceremony Fallout

Pakistan's Interior Minister and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi has ordered the Asia Cup trophy locked away at the ACC's Dubai headquarters, stipulating that only he can personally hand it over to the Indian team or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The directive follows India's refusal to accept the trophy from Naqvi during the presentation ceremony after defeating Pakistan in the final on September 28, prompting him to walk off with it.

Sources close to Naqvi confirmed to PTI that the trophy remains secured with explicit instructions against any movement or handover without his approval, escalating a controversy that has strained bilateral cricket relations.

The incident capped a tournament already marred by heightened Indo-Pak hostilities, exacerbated by the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 12 civilians and was attributed to Pakistan-based militants by New Delhi. Throughout the Asia Cup—hosted by the BCCI in Dubai and Sharjah due to geopolitical sensitivities—Indian players declined handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts, while both sides exchanged politically charged gestures on the field.

Naqvi, who also chairs the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), amplified the discord with provocative social media posts criticizing India's stance. The BCCI, as official hosts, viewed Naqvi's insistence on presenting the trophy as an overreach, arguing he had no authority to withhold it from the rightful champions.

India's victory, sealed by a seven-wicket chase in a rain-affected final, marked their eighth Asia Cup title and avenged a group-stage loss to Pakistan. However, the post-match snub highlighted deeper fissures: Pakistan had lobbied unsuccessfully to host the event in Lahore, leading to the neutral-venue compromise. Naqvi's dual role as a government minister and cricket administrator has drawn scrutiny, with critics accusing him of politicizing the sport. The locked trophy symbolizes this impasse, delaying official recognition of India's win and fueling speculation over future collaborations, including the 2026 Asia Cup co-hosting agreement.

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The BCCI plans to formally raise the issue at the International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting next month in Mumbai, potentially seeking Naqvi's censure or removal as an ICC director. "It remains to be seen what the long-term ramifications will be for the PCB or Naqvi," a source noted, emphasizing the BCCI's resolve that the trophy rightfully belongs to India without preconditions.

As cricket's diplomatic tightrope between the nuclear-armed neighbors frays further, stakeholders urge de-escalation to preserve the Asia Cup's legacy since its 1984 inception. With the ICC event looming, resolution could hinge on broader geopolitical thawing, lest it jeopardize global cricket's unity.

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