Asia Cup Trophy Standoff: India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate

The Asia Cup 2025 may have ended with India defeating Pakistan in a nail-biting final, but the drama hasn’t left the headlines. Weeks after the tournament concluded on September 28, the Asia Cup trophy remains locked inside the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters in Dubai, triggering fresh tensions between the two cricketing giants.

The trophy, which should have been presented to the victorious Indian team, is reportedly being withheld under strict instructions from Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Mohsin Naqvi. According to sources, Naqvi personally removed the trophy from the presentation stage after the Indian team refused to accept it from him during the post-match ceremony.

This move comes against a backdrop of already high tensions following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which cast a shadow over the tournament. Indo-Pak sporting exchanges, traditionally marked by polite gestures and mutual respect, were notably absent. Reports indicate that Indian players avoided handshakes with Pakistani counterparts, and subtle political gestures were visible on the field throughout the event.

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A source close to Naqvi revealed, “As of today, the trophy is still in ACC offices in Dubai with clear instructions from Naqvi that it should not be moved or handed over to anyone without his approval and in-person presence.” The same source added, “Only he will hand over the trophy personally to the Indian team or the BCCI, whenever that happens.”

Naqvi’s actions, coupled with politically charged remarks on social media during the tournament, have only amplified the controversy. Cricket analysts suggest that this unprecedented step has created both a diplomatic and cricketing standoff, leaving fans and officials caught in an unusual limbo.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly preparing to raise the matter at the upcoming ICC board meeting. Discussions could potentially include moves to censure Naqvi or question his position as an ICC Director. Meanwhile, fans and cricketing pundits across the subcontinent continue to watch the situation unfold, highlighting the delicate balance between sportsmanship and geopolitics in the region.