Send a player to collect Asia Cup: Adamant Mohsin Naqvi responds to BCCI letter

The deadlock over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy, which has yet to reach champions India, continues as Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi has refused to part with it despite a fresh letter from the BCCI. In the latest development, Naqvi—who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister and PCB chairman—has urged the BCCI to organise a presentation ceremony in India and send a player to collect the trophy directly from him, rather than expecting it to be sent across borders.

The controversy began after India defeated Pakistan in a thrilling contest in the Asia Cup final. The Indian players decided not to accept the medals and trophy from the ACC chief in protest against Naqvi’s provocative social media posts during the tournament. In response, Naqvi denied the Indian team the traditional presentation ceremony and instructed ACC officials to take the trophy away.

During the ACC Annual General Meeting on September 30, the BCCI condemned Naqvi’s actions and stressed that the Asia Cup trophy belongs to India. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla emphasised that the Asia Cup 2025 trophy should be officially presented to the victorious Indian team, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, and placed under the immediate custody of the ACC.

Since then, the deadlock has persisted. The BCCI sent an official email to Naqvi demanding the trophy be handed over to India. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told India Today that they are awaiting a



response and, if none is received, will escalate the matter to the ICC. “We are proceeding step by step and will continue to pursue this matter,” Saikia said. The BCCI has also received support from the Sri Lanka and Afghanistan cricket boards, urging Naqvi to release the trophy.

In response, Naqvi sent a detailed letter to the BCCI, acknowledging India’s achievement while asserting the ACC’s neutral stance on political matters:

"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 heart that such expressions were not merely limited to vocabulary used in a letter but also displayed vehemently on the field of play."