The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally written to Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, requesting the return of the Asia Cup trophy won by India in Dubai last month.
India clinched the title after defeating Pakistan by five wickets in a high-profile final.
However, during the post-match presentation ceremony, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who simultaneously serves as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
According to media reports, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board is awaiting a response from Naqvi.
“If there is no response from his side, we will escalate the matter to the ICC with an official communication. The board is proceeding step by step and will continue to pursue the matter,” Saikia stated.
The situation arose when the Indian team management inquired about who would present the silverware and expressed willingness to accept it from Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni.
Reports suggest that Naqvi rejected this proposal. During the ceremony, Indian players Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma received their individual awards from other dignitaries, but when Naqvi stepped onto the dais, the Indian team declined to accept the trophy.
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It was later discreetly removed from the venue, leaving the champions without their trophy.
The BCCI had previously raised objections at the ACC meeting on September 30 regarding the decision not to hand over the winner’s trophy to India and the manner in which the post-match ceremony unfolded.
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla, who represented India at the meeting, reportedly confronted Naqvi, saying, “Why was the trophy not handed over to the winning team? The ACC trophy is not the personal property of any individual.”
The board’s communication to the ACC now seeks formal resolution, emphasizing that the trophy rightfully belongs to the Indian team.
