The ongoing standoff over the Asia Cup trophy has once again highlighted the deep-rooted tensions between India and Pakistan. Weeks after India’s victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, the winners have yet to officially receive their trophy. The issue resurfaced when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reached out to Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi to arrange the formal handover.
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Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, told reporters in Karachi that the ACC has decided to hold an official ceremony in Dubai on December 10 to present the trophy to India. Sources suggest that Naqvi is determined to personally hand over the trophy, following the controversy that erupted during last month’s final in Dubai.
India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling last-over finish to clinch the title. However, the post-match ceremony descended into chaos when the Indian players refused to collect the trophy from Naqvi. The lack of customary handshakes and post-match gestures between the two teams further fueled the controversy. Pakistan captain Salman Agha expressed disappointment, saying India had “disrespected cricket,” while Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav claimed his team had been unfairly denied the trophy after winning the tournament.
Naqvi later addressed the situation on X (formerly Twitter), stating that if the Indian side truly wanted the trophy, they were welcome to collect it from the ACC office in Dubai. His remark added to the already heated atmosphere between the two boards.
According to Indian media reports, the BCCI, supported by Afghanistan and Sri Lanka cricket boards, has written to Naqvi urging a prompt resolution. However, the BCCI reportedly rejected Naqvi’s proposal that a representative collect the trophy directly from him at the ACC headquarters. The Indian board is now planning to raise the issue at the upcoming ICC meeting next month.
An ACC source revealed that the dispute has drawn attention from multiple member nations. “The BCCI secretary, BCCI’s ACC representative Rajeev Shukla, and representatives from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have written to the ACC president about handing the trophy to India,” the source said.
The Asia Cup, featuring eight nations, was already under intense scrutiny due to strained political relations between India and Pakistan. The tournament marked the first major cricketing event involving both nations since their brief military clash in April, following the Pahalgaam attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
Tensions carried over onto the cricket field, with players from both sides refusing to shake hands before their group-stage encounter. Suryakumar Yadav drew criticism for invoking political and military references during his post-match comments, which were widely viewed as an attempt to politicize the event. Pakistan, on the other hand, chose to remain silent in the media, avoiding any escalation through public statements.
When the two teams met again in the Super Four stage, emotions ran high, and on-field verbal exchanges between players only added to the friction.
As December 10 approaches, the trophy controversy remains unresolved, casting a shadow over what should have been a celebration of cricketing excellence. The Asia Cup, instead of fostering regional sportsmanship, has once again become a symbol of how political divides continue to influence the spirit of the game between India and Pakistan.
