Copyright Cricket Addictor
The ACC Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has once again refused to send over the Asia Cup Trophy across borders, having ordered the BCCI to organize a presentation ceremony in India and send a player over to the ACC headquarters to receive the trophy from him in person. This controversy began after India defeated Pakistan in a thrilling contest in the Asia Cup final. The Indian players decided not to accept the trophy from the hands of the ACC chief in protest of Naqvi's provocative actions. The BCCI had previously urged the ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and stressed that the Asia Cup trophy belongs to India. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla emphasized that the trophy should be presented to the deserving champions, India. BCCI intends to take the Asia Cup Trophy row to the ICC Since the deadlock persisted, the BCCI had sent an official email to Mohsin Naqvi demanding the Asia Cup trophy, which the Indians deserved after having won the tournament. Board secretary Devajit Saikia told India Today that they are awaiting a response, and if not, then the matters will be escalated to the ICC. “We are proceeding step by step and will continue to pursue this matter,” Saikia said. BCCI had also received support from the boards of countries like Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, as they have jointly urged Mohsin Naqvi to release the trophy. Mohsin Naqvi asks BCCI to receive the Asia Cup Trophy in person In response, Mohsin Naqvi sent a detailed letter to BCCI acknowledging India's achievement. Asserting ACC's neutral stance on political matters, the ACC chairman wrote in return: "Receipt of your letter dated September 30, 2025, is acknowledged. The letter was received just prior to the commencement of the ACC Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was scheduled for 3:00 PM (UAE time) on September 30, 2025." "The BCCI was represented online at the AGM by Mr. Rajeev Shukla and Ashish Shelar. This matter was discussed in detail during the AGM; however, since you have circulated this letter to ACC members, it is only appropriate to set the record straight." "At the very outset, we must congratulate you and the Indian Cricket Team on winning the Asia Cup 2025, as the ACC President did earlier in the AGM." "The ACC President is extremely appreciative and notes with pleasure the emphasis you have placed in your letter on longstanding customs, traditions, established practices, cricketing protocols, and fundamental elements of sport integrity." "We wish with all our hearts that such expressions were not merely limited to vocabulary used in a letter but also displayed vehemently on the field of play." Mohsin Naqvi criticized the politicization of cricket However, the ACC also criticised what it meant by the politicisation of cricket: "As regards the remainder of your letter, slanderous as it may be and digressing from the same values you highlighted, the office of the ACC President will not indulge in petty politics aimed at pacifying select extremist groups." "There was never any official communication shared with the ACC office or the Tournament Director highlighting any position or concern of the BCCI with respect to prize distribution." "It was only when the ceremony was about to take place and distinguished guests had taken their place on the stage that the BCCI’s representative conveyed that the Indian Cricket Team would not be receiving the Asia Cup Trophy and awards." The letter further emphasised the ACC’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the ceremony: "The ACC President waited along with distinguished guests for approximately 40 minutes to ensure that the integrity of the presentation ceremony was preserved and not adversely affected by politics, but in vain." "The ACC trophy rightly belongs to the Indian Cricket Team and is being held in trust till such time that a BCCI office holder, along with any available participating player, can collect it from the ACC President." "Such collection would, of course, be accompanied with much fanfare and coverage, ensuring no deviation from established practices and no precedent is set which undermines the spirit of the game we all love."
