The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has escalated its standoff with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi by issuing a stern warning to relinquish the Asia Cup 2025 trophy, sources confirmed to NDTV today. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's Interior Minister, has retained the silverware in his Dubai office since the tournament's conclusion on September 28, when India clinched a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The dispute traces back to the post-match ceremony, where Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team declined to accept the trophy directly from Naqvi, citing geopolitical sensitivities amid strained India-Pakistan relations exacerbated by cross-border terrorism concerns. BCCI officials view the trophy as ACC property, not personal memorabilia, and have reiterated that winners' medals and the hardware must be forwarded to the council's headquarters for formal handover—a protocol Naqvi has flouted despite repeated diplomatic overtures.

Naqvi's retention of the trophy has fuelled accusations of politicisation within cricket's administrative corridors, compounding historical frictions that have disrupted bilateral series since 2008. As ACC head, Naqvi hosted the hybrid-format event—split between neutral UAE venues and Pakistan—following India's refusal to travel across the border. Sources indicate he proposed a ceremonial resolution, insisting on a dedicated function where Yadav would personally retrieve the trophy from him, a stipulation the BCCI deems untenable and performative.

"We cannot accommodate such demands; the process must remain institutional," a senior BCCI functionary told NDTV, emphasising that the board prioritises cricketing integrity over individual gestures. This impasse has garnered backing from fellow ACC members Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, whose boards have privately endorsed India's position, highlighting a rare alignment against perceived overreach by the PCB chief. Naqvi's dual governmental role has intensified scrutiny, with critics arguing it blurs lines between sport and statecraft in a region where cricket often mirrors diplomatic fault lines.

The BCCI's fresh directive—delivered via formal correspondence last week—threatens to haul the matter before the International Cricket Council (ICC) during its November board meeting in Dubai, potentially marking a seismic rift in global cricket governance. Officials plan a robust protest, framing Naqvi's actions as a breach of ACC statutes that could undermine the council's neutrality and invite sanctions.

This escalation echoes past flashpoints, such as the 2019 ICC intervention in bilateral scheduling disputes, but carries added weight given India's financial heft—contributing over 70% of ICC revenues through broadcasting and sponsorships. PCB sources counter that Naqvi's stance safeguards "dignity and protocol", yet the delay has irked Indian players, who view the trophies as symbols of hard-fought triumphs amid a gruelling calendar. As the saga unfolds, it risks overshadowing preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup co-hosting by India and Sri Lanka, where ACC cohesion will be paramount.

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With the trophy row symbolising broader Indo-Pak cricket tensions—unresolved since the last bilateral tour in 2012—the BCCI's gambit underscores a zero-tolerance pivot toward accountability. Stakeholders anticipate ICC mediation to avert a full-blown crisis, but Naqvi's unyielding posture suggests prolonged negotiations. For Indian cricket, fresh off a dominant Asia Cup campaign that boosted morale post the 2024 T20 World Cup heartbreak, reclaiming the trophy represents more than silverware—it's a reaffirmation of sporting sovereignty. As November looms, the global cricket fraternity watches closely, wary that administrative egos could fracture the fragile unity essential for the game's expansion in Asia, home to billions of fans and emerging markets.

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