By News18

Copyright news18

Mohsin Naqvi, who represents both the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), apologised during the ACC meeting after BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla objected strongly to his act of not presenting the Asia Cup trophy to the Indian team following their tournament win.
Sources said that the Asia Cup trophy, won by India after last week’s final against Pakistan in Dubai, remains at the Asian Cricket Council’s regional office and will either be shipped to India or collected by an Indian official in Dubai.
A heated argument broke out at the ACC meeting after Naqvi accused Indian players of disrespecting him during the Asia Cup trophy presentation, sources told said.
Naqvi reportedly complained that Indian cricketers ignored him and the trophy, remaining busy on their phones and games, and insisted that India’s captain should travel to Dubai to collect the silverware.
BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla strongly objected, saying: “How could you expect our players to accept the trophy from Pakistan’s Home Minister? You mixed cricket with politics. You should have spoken to BCCI first. Our captain is in Mumbai and will not come to Dubai. Send the trophy to the ACC or ICC.”
Cornered, Naqvi apologised, admitting: “You are right, it shouldn’t have happened. I’m sorry. I will send the trophy to the ICC.”
Shukla then responded: “Good, this is what you should have done earlier.”
The meeting came just days after a controversy at the tournament, where Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Agha at the toss, and later, during the post-match presentation, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister.
Yadav and his teammates reportedly objected to Naqvi presenting the awards, citing his history of anti-India remarks.
The India team suggested neutral officials such as UAE’s Khalid Al Zarooni or Bangladesh’s Aminul Islam to hand over the trophy, but Naqvi is said to have rejected the proposal outright.
With the impasse unresolved, the Indian players were left waiting on the ground for nearly an hour. Naqvi eventually walked away with the trophy, prompting the Indian team to stage mock celebrations by pretending to lift an imaginary cup.