Cricket’s off-field drama between Pakistan and India continues to heat up. Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi has delivered a firm response to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the Asia Cup 2025 trophy, making it clear that there will be no shortcuts when it comes to protocol.
The situation arose after India won the Asia Cup final but didn’t receive the trophy during the usual presentation ceremony. In response to the BCCI’s letter requesting the trophy, Naqvi stated that if India wants it, they must collect it during an official ceremony, not through a courier service or informal arrangements.
The ACC has now proposed November 10 as the date for a proper trophy handover ceremony. To make it happen, they’re asking that a BCCI official attend along with at least one player from the winning team.
This isn’t an unreasonable request, it’s standard practice for major cricket trophies to be presented in formal ceremonies that honor the achievement.
What makes this interesting is that the trophy had already been returned to the ACC office after India didn’t receive it following their victory. Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the importance of following proper protocol, remarking pointedly that if the Indian captain wants the trophy, he must personally come to collect it.
This strong stance from Naqvi highlights the ongoing tensions between the Pakistani and Indian cricket boards, which extend beyond just this trophy issue.
Political relations between the two countries often spill over into sports, making even simple matters, such as trophy presentations, complicated diplomatic exercises.
