Dubai, Oct 1: Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has handed over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy to the UAE Cricket Board amid threats of impeachment from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Indian team is yet to receive the trophy, and the timeline for its handover remains unclear. Naqvi is reportedly flying to Lahore from Dubai today.
The controversy stems from Naqvi refusing to present the trophy to the unbeaten Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, violating ceremonial protocols and his duties as ACC chief. BCCI officials claim his actions constitute abuse of office, conflict of interest, and political interference in sport, damaging the credibility of both ACC and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Sources said Naqvi reportedly took the trophy and medals to his hotel room in Dubai after walking out of the presentation ceremony, described as “petulant” and unprecedented. During a virtual ACC meeting, BCCI representatives Rajeev Shukla and Ashish Shelar confronted him, insisting that the trophy belonged to India and urging formal congratulations, which Naqvi declined.
The ACC has expressed regret over the incident, but Naqvi has yet to issue a formal apology. The BCCI intends to escalate the matter to the ICC, where it will be raised at the upcoming November meeting. Calls for Naqvi’s removal cite breaches of the ACC Code of Responsibilities and ceremonial protocols.
The incident has intensified tensions between ACC and BCCI, raising concerns over mixing national politics with international cricket administration and setting a troubling precedent for future events. (Agencies)
