Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi is set to be honoured with the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Excellence Gold Medal following his bold actions during the Asia Cup 2025 trophy handover incident. The award celebrates Naqvi’s “principled and courageous stance” in standing firm amid escalating cricket and political tensions with India.
According to reports, the recognition was announced by Advocate Ghulam Abbas Jamal, President of the Sindh and Karachi Basketball Associations, who stated that Naqvi’s decision “restored national pride” and reflected Pakistan’s dignity on the international stage.
The controversy began during the Asia Cup 2025 final when Indian players declined to accept the trophy from Naqvi, a move widely interpreted as a diplomatic snub. In response, Naqvi retained the trophy, later posting on X (formerly Twitter) that India could collect it “from the ACC headquarters if they truly want it.” His refusal to apologize to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) drew strong support from political leaders and sports fans across Pakistan.
Naqvi later stated, “I did nothing wrong and I will never apologize,” reinforcing his reputation as a steadfast and unapologetic leader. His stance quickly turned into a symbol of national pride, prompting officials to award him one of Pakistan’s most prestigious civil honours.
Ceremony to Be Held in Karachi
The official award ceremony will take place in Karachi, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expected to attend as the chief guest. A special committee, headed by Sindh Basketball Association Chairman Khalid Jameel Shamsi, has been formed to coordinate the event. The Director of Sports, Commissioner Karachi Ghulam Muhammad Khan, will serve as the committee’s secretary.
“This recognition is not just about cricket,” said Ghulam Abbas Jamal. “It represents dignity, sovereignty, and the resolve not to bow under international pressure.”
The Asia Cup Trophy Dispute and Aftermath
The Asia Cup 2025 was overshadowed by diplomatic friction, with India reportedly implementing a “no handshake” policy toward Pakistani players throughout the tournament. The situation reached a boiling point after the final, which India won but chose not to collect the trophy directly from Naqvi.
Following the incident, the BCCI raised the issue at the Asian Cricket Council meeting and plans to escalate it to the International Cricket Council (ICC) later this year. The trophy dispute coincided with a surge in political tensions between the two nations after the Pahalgam terror attack, which led to retaliatory military operations under Operation Sindoor.
Despite the geopolitical backdrop, Naqvi’s defiant stand during the Asia Cup has turned him into a national hero in Pakistan. The gold medal is seen as both recognition of his sports leadership and a symbolic assertion of Pakistan’s independence on the global stage.
