The Asia Cup 2025 final may have concluded with India defeating Pakistan to secure their ninth title, but the drama off the field has stolen the spotlight. Three days after the tournament, the controversy surrounding the missing trophy and medals continues to stir tension within the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
According to sources, ACC President and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has come under fire for his conduct during the recent ACC meeting in Dubai. Reports claim that Naqvi did not acknowledge India’s championship win in his opening remarks and only extended congratulations after repeated reminders from BCCI representative Ashish Shelar.
The BCCI has requested that the medals and trophy be handed over to the ACC headquarters so they can manage logistics and deliver them to the Indian team. However, Naqvi allegedly deflected the discussion, raising questions about his role as ACC chairman.
Adding to the controversy, the presentation ceremony after the final was delayed by almost an hour. It was reportedly because Naqvi insisted on personally presenting the trophy, a demand that India did not agree to. As a result, the Indian team celebrated their win without receiving the physical silverware on stage.
This friction follows weeks of strained relations during the tournament, where India maintained a no-handshake policy with Pakistan players. What began as a silent protest escalated into heated gestures on the field, disciplinary fines, and unusual moments such as two different toss representatives being assigned for the final.
While India’s players and fans celebrated the historic win, administrators remain focused on ensuring a smooth and official handover of the Asia Cup trophy and medals. The standoff has turned the spotlight away from the sporting triumph and toward governance disputes.
The Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered not only for India’s dominant performance on the pitch but also for the administrative tussles that overshadowed the closing ceremony. Whether the BCCI’s push for protocol will force Naqvi to deliver the trophy remains to be seen, but the controversy has already cemented itself as one of the tournament’s defining chapters.