Asia Cup Trophyโข Belongs to India, But โคRemains with ACC Amidst Dispute
Following aโข letter from the Sri Lankan and Afghanistan Cricket Boards regarding the presentationโ of the Asia Cup trophy toโฃ India, ACC Chief Mohsin Naqviโข has issued a statement addressing the โcontroversy.This came after the BCCI reportedly warned against Naqvi presenting the trophy following India’s victory โขin the Asia Cup 2025.
Naqvi confirmed receipt of the letter dated September 30, 2025, receivedโข just prior to the ACC Annual general Meeting (AGM) held on theโฃ same date at โ3:00 pm (UAE timing). The BCCI was represented online at the AGM by Rajeev Shukla and Ashish shelar. He stated the issue was discussed during the AGM, but felt clarification was โnecessary given the letter circulated to ACC members.
“First of all, I congratulateโ the Indian cricket team for winning the Asia Cup 2025, as Iโฃ had done in the first AGM also,” Naqvi said. โHe also acknowledged the BCCI’s emphasisโ onโ “traditions, โฃestablished practices, the rules of cricket and โthe fundamental elements of integrity of the game,” expressing a hope that these sentiments would be “enthusiastically displayed on the field.”
Naqvi detailed thatโข the BCCI did โnot share any official communication with the โคACC office or โtournament director regarding the award distribution ceremony. He explained โขthat โคduring the ceremony, a BCCI representative informed him that the โคIndian teamโ would not โคaccept the โtrophy and awards from his hands, leading to a delay as efforts were made to resolve the โsituation.
Accusing the BCCI of introducing “politics into the game,” Naqvi affirmed theโ ACC’s neutrality. “As ACC chief, I waited for about 40 โขminutes along with other distinguished guests so that the dignityโฃ of the awards ceremonyโ was maintained and it was not adversely affected by politics, but it was in vain.”
He stated, “The ACC โขTrophy undoubtedly โคbelongs to the Indian cricket team andโ will be preserved โฃuntil a BCCI official and the available players come to โคDubai ACC Headquarters to take it fromโฃ my hands.”
The matter is now expected toโ be raised atโ an upcoming ICC meeting, with former BCCI secretary Jay Shah currently serving asโฃ the ICC Chairman. The Asia Cup 2025 trophy is currently heldโข at the ACC headquarters in Dubai, having been retained by โNaqvi after the Indian team declined โขto accept it from him at theโข ceremony. โNaqvi โฃholds the positions of ACCโ Chairman, President of the Pakistan Cricket Board, โคand Home Ministerโฃ of Pakistan.
