The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are locked in a tense standoff over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy, with the dispute now poised to escalate to the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting next month. Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB Chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President, is insisting on personally handing over the trophy to the Indian team at a ceremony in Dubai on November 10, a proposal that the BCCI has firmly rejected.
The controversy began after the Indian team won the ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025 final on September 29 in Dubai but declined to collect the trophy and medals during the post-match presentation. Reports suggest that this refusal stemmed from tensions between the Indian team and the ACC, with players objecting to receiving the trophy from Naqvi, who also holds a prominent position as a leader in the Pakistani government. The post-match ceremony was notably delayed by nearly an hour, and only a few Indian players, along with Pakistan's captain, received individual awards. Presenter Simon Doull stated that the Indian cricket team would not be collecting their awards that night.
The BCCI has since written to the ACC, demanding the immediate handover of the trophy and seeking an explanation for why the awards were withheld. However, Naqvi has remained steadfast, insisting that a BCCI official and a player must collect the trophy from him in Dubai. He proposed a formal ceremony on November 10, emphasizing that "such collection would, of course, be accompanied with much fanfare and coverage, as there should be no deviation from established practices and no precedent should be set that undermines the spirit of the game we all love".
The BCCI, however, is unwilling to accept this condition, maintaining that the trophy belongs to the ACC and should be officially handed over to the winning team. BCCI sources have stated that they will not accept Naqvi's response and plan to raise the matter at the upcoming ICC meeting, scheduled from December 4 to 7 in Dubai. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said that they are sticking to their stance of not receiving the trophy from Naqvi. The Indian board reportedly has the support of the Afghanistan and Sri Lanka boards in this matter.
In response to the BCCI's stance, Naqvi has pushed back strongly, calling the accusations politically motivated and denying that the ACC received any prior notice of India's refusal to accept the trophy. He stated that the BCCI's communication came at the last minute, causing disruption and delay to the ceremony. Naqvi also claimed that he and other guests waited for approximately 40 minutes on stage to ensure the integrity of the presentation ceremony.
As tensions escalate, the PCB has reportedly instructed its legal department to prepare a dossier in case the BCCI seeks to censure Naqvi at the ICC meeting. This move indicates the seriousness of the situation and the potential for a major showdown between the two cricket boards.
The BCCI's strong stance is supported by its influential position within the ACC, where it holds considerable influence and backing from a majority of member boards. While some reports suggested that the BCCI might consider initiating proceedings to impeach Naqvi from his role as ACC chairman, the board is reportedly adopting a measured approach, prioritizing stability and professionalism, especially with India hosting the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
The outcome of the ICC meeting is expected to determine the next course of action in this unprecedented dispute, which has not only strained relations between the BCCI and PCB but also raised questions about the governance and protocols of international cricket events. The controversy highlights the complex interplay of politics and sports, with the Asia Cup trophy now symbolizing a deeper rift between the two cricketing boards.
