Pakistan to Honor Official Who Retained Asia cup Trophy After India‘s Victory
Karachi – Pakistan is set to honour Mohsin Naqvi, the current caretaker Minister for Interior and former Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC), with a medal in a ceremony in Karachi. The recognition comes despite recent controversy surrounding Naqvi’s actions following the asia Cup final, where India defeated Pakistan.
After India’s win in the Asia Cup final, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, reportedly due to a controversial social media post he had shared.Naqvi subsequently decided to take the trophy himself,a move that drew widespread criticism and ridicule on social media.
Naqvi has maintained he did nothing wrong and has refused to apologise to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In a recent social media post, he stated, “As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now.If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me…Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologised to the BCCI nor will I ever do so.”
The BCCI is expected to raise the issue during the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in November, according to PTI reports.
Bilawal Bhutto, chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party and grandson of former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, has been invited to attend the ceremony where Naqvi will be awarded the medal.
The incident follows other controversies involving Naqvi during the Asia Cup, including a decision to deduct 30% of bowler Haris Rauf’s match fees for a controversial celebration after a match against India. Naqvi responded by offering to personally cover the deducted amount.
india and Pakistan played each other three times during the Asia Cup, with India winning all three encounters. Tensions between the two countries remain high following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attacks and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist bases in Pakistan in May.