Asia Cup 2025 trophy row: Mohsin Naqvi’s comments stir cross-border controversy

Asia Cup 2025 trophy row: The controversy surrounding the trophy following India's stunning victory in the Asia Cup 2025 final continues unabated. Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), is being hailed as a 'national hero' in a viral video in Pakistan. The video praises him for his "patience" when the Indian team failed to take the trophy and later carried it away in his car. Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to raise the issue with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

What was said in the viral video?

During an event in Karachi, Pakistan, a person on stage praised Naqvi, saying, “When he was standing on the field and the Indian team wasn't taking the trophy, he demonstrated patience. He stood there; he stood there. He wanted them to step aside and get it from someone else. But he didn't know that our chairman was also the Minister of Internal Affairs. He later handled the team like terrorists, carrying the trophy in a car and bringing it with him. Now all of India is chasing the trophy.”
In the video, Naqvi is seen smiling while the Indian players are hurled derogatory terms like "terrorists." The clip is rapidly going viral on social media, and Pakistani media is calling it a symbol of "national pride."

What happened in the final?

India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Dubai on September 28, 2025, to win the title. During the post-match trophy ceremony, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy and medals from Naqvi. The reason? Naqvi's role as Pakistan's Home Minister and some of his inflammatory social media posts. According to the BCCI, this was a breach of protocol, as Naqvi, as ACC President, should have presented the trophy.

Naqvi removed the trophy from the field and placed it in his car, a move considered a symbol of "firmness" in Pakistan. The BCCI immediately protested, stating that the champion team should have been given its due immediately.

Naqvi's New Proposal and BCCI's Response

Recently, Naqvi wrote to the BCCI, stating that he would hold a ceremony in Dubai on November 10, where he would personally present the trophy. He wrote: "The ACC Trophy belongs to the Indian team and will be preserved until a BCCI representative and a player receive it." However, the BCCI rejected this proposal. The board says the delay is political interference and will complain about it at the ICC board meeting.

An ACC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "This should be done as per tradition, but the BCCI's demand is justified. The escalating controversy is tarnishing the image of cricket."

Social Media Uproar

Hashtags like #AsiaCupTrophy and #MohsinNaqvi are trending on Twitter. Indian users are calling it "arrogance," while Pakistani users are praising Naqvi as a "lion." One post read: "Mohsin Naqvi taught India a lesson. The trophy will remain with us!" Meanwhile, Indian fans are saying, "Keep cricket away from politics. India deserves the trophy."