India Wins Asia Cup; PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi Controversy

Dubai: India clinched the Asia Cup title on Sunday with a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in Dubai, but the post-match ceremony was marred by controversy involving Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

During the delayed trophy presentation, India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister. The presentation, delayed by 90 minutes, saw Indian players receiving their individual awards from other dignitaries while Salman, the Pakistani player, accepted the runners-up cheque from Naqvi. Ultimately, Naqvi walked off with the trophy and official medals, sparking widespread attention.

Following the incident, Naqvi criticized India on X, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulatory post. He stated, “If war was your measure of pride, history already records your humiliating defeats at Pakistan's hands. No cricket match can rewrite that truth. Dragging war into sport only exposes desperation and disgraces the very spirit of the game.”

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PM Modi had earlier celebrated India’s win, calling it “Operation Sindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.”

The controversy comes against a backdrop of historic tensions between the two countries. From the 1971 surrender of Pakistani forces under Lieutenant General A.A.K. Niazi to India, the Kargil Conflict, and recent military operations like Operation Sindoor, India has historically maintained military and cricketing superiority over Pakistan.

On the field, India dominated Pakistan throughout the match, and fans at the venue reportedly booed Naqvi and the Pakistan players during the ceremony. ACC chairman Simon Doull confirmed that the Indian cricket team would not be collecting their awards that night.

Despite the diplomatic and sporting tensions, India celebrated their Asia Cup victory with fans, posing with an imaginary trophy as fireworks lit up the stadium.

The controversy surrounding Naqvi’s actions continues to trend across social media platforms, with cricket fans and analysts debating the post-match events.