Astha Pandey/VOIWORLD
India’s Asia Cup triumph remains incomplete not because of what happened on the field, but because of what continues to unfold behind closed doors in cricket’s power corridors.
In a sporting embarrassment, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finds itself entangled in a rift with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after the Asia Cup trophy which must be given to India, remains locked away in Dubai.
However, sources have confirmed that the trophy is still at the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) headquarters after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi allegedly ordered that it must not be moved or handed over without his explicit approval.
The trophy controversy traces back to the final presentation ceremony in Dubai, where the Indian players reportedly refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi. Thus, following the awkward exchange, Naqvi is said to have walked away with the trophy and despite BCCI’s objections, it has remained in the ACC’s custody ever since.
Being the Pakistan’s Interior Minister and the current ACC Chairman, Naqvi has reportedly insisted on personally handing over the trophy to the Indian team or BCCI but only “on his terms.”“Naqvi has made it clear that the trophy will not be moved without his presence and approval,” said a source close to the PCB Chairman.
India defeated Pakistan in the final on September 28, sealing yet another Asia Cup victory. However, more than ten days after the win, the trophy’s absence from Indian hands has sparked sharp criticism of the BCCI’s diminishing influence within the ACC, an organisation it once dominated.
The situation came amid the heightened political and diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. Observers note that while the BCCI has maintained a strong public stance, its lack of concrete action on the issue reflects a deeper erosion of authority in regional cricket governance.
Meanwhile, Naqvi has been accused of using this incident in his advancement to assert his control by posting politically charged statements on social media and reinforcing his position as ACC Chairman. His defiance is being viewed as a calculated snub to the BCCI, one that underscores a shifting power dynamic within Asian cricket.
“The fact that a trophy India rightfully won is still locked up in Dubai under another board’s instruction is a huge dent in BCCI’s image. This would have been unthinkable a few years ago.”said a senior cricket administrator.
“While the BCCI is reportedly considering raising the issue at the upcoming ICC meeting and even pushing for Naqvi’s censure, insiders remain doubtful that any immediate resolution is likely.
