ACC President Insists on Handing Over Asia Cup Trophy to India in Person

The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan in the realm of international cricket have intensified following the Asia Cup final on September 28, 2025, with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi taking a firm stance on the distribution of the coveted trophy.

Naqvi, who also serves as the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, declared on Tuesday that he is still willing to personally hand over the Asia Cup trophy to India, despite the stand-off that occurred during the post-match ceremony.

"In my capacity as ACC President, I was ready to present the trophy that very day, and I remain prepared to do so," Naqvi posted on X (formerly Twitter). "If the Indian team truly wants the trophy, they are welcome to visit the ACC office and collect it directly from me."

The comments followed a high-stakes meeting in Dubai, where Naqvi chaired a session of the ACC. Representatives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), including vice-president Rajeev Shukla and former treasurer Ashish Shelar, participated remotely. It is understood that the meeting did not yield a resolution regarding the controversial standoff at the Asia Cup final.

Tense Moments at Asia Cup Final

The incident occurred just moments after India secured a thrilling win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, a match that marked the first-ever India-Pakistan clash in the tournament's final. A significant delay in the presentation ceremony ensued, with India’s players refusing to accept the trophy and medals from Naqvi. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates walked off the podium, leading to a prolonged standoff.

Ultimately, Kuldeep Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Abhishek Sharma received their individual awards from other dignitaries, while the Asia Cup trophy was carried off by an ACC official. India’s players, though victorious, celebrated their win without the trophy or the traditional winners' medals.

The friction between the two teams had been simmering throughout the tournament. India had refused to shake hands with Pakistan’s players at any point—neither before the toss nor after the match. Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, repeatedly criticized India’s stance, accusing them of disrespect.

A History of Tensions

The tensions between India and Pakistan in this year’s Asia Cup were further fueled by remarks from both sides. After India’s dominant win over Pakistan on September 14, Suryakumar Yadav made comments suggesting that the rivalry between the two teams had become lopsided, leading to an ICC charge and a fine that saw him lose 30% of his match fee.

In the subsequent encounter on September 21, Pakistan’s fast bowler Haris Rauf faced a similar fine after making gestures to the crowd, intensifying the animosity. Despite the friction, India eventually emerged victorious in the final, but the diplomatic tension remained unresolved.

With the men’s teams having faced off in the Asia Cup over the past three Sundays, attention is now shifting to the women’s teams, who are set to clash in the ongoing Women's ODI World Cup. The India-Pakistan women’s encounter is scheduled for October 5, 2025, in Colombo.

The ongoing saga surrounding the trophy distribution continues to underline the complex political and sporting tensions that persist between the two cricketing giants.