The T20 Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy continues, with India yet to receive the trophy, which remains at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) office in Dubai. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi has taken a firm stand, stating that India will have to come to Dubai to collect the trophy from him.
“There is a status quo on trophy handing. If India wants the trophy, they must send their captain to Dubai and receive it from me,” Naqvi told Telecom Asia Sport.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, during the presentation ceremony following India’s victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final.
Naqvi maintained that, as the ACC president, he is entitled to present the trophy and made it clear that Pakistan would not compromise on the matter. He further warned that if Indian players refuse customary gestures, including handshakes, Pakistan would respond in the same manner.
“If India does not allow their players to shake hands with our players, then it will be dealt with on equal terms and there will be no compromise,” Naqvi said. “We have no interest in shaking hands with them.”
India’s decision not to accept the trophy from Naqvi comes in the backdrop of the terror attack on civilians in Pahalgam. The Indian team has maintained a no-handshake stance in recent tournaments, including the Women’s World Cup in Sri Lanka in November, the Rising Star Asia Cup in Doha during the same month, and the ACC Under-19 Men’s Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month.
The Asia Cup final was also mired in another controversy involving 14-year-old Indian batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who allegedly made a demeaning gesture after being dismissed by Pakistan bowler Ali Raza for 26 off 10 balls. Pakistan went on to win the heated final by a huge 191-run margin.
Naqvi confirmed that Pakistan will write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the conduct of Indian Under-19 players during the Junior Asia Cup final.
“We will be writing a letter to the ICC to complain about the behaviour of Indian junior players during the final of the Junior Asia Cup, which was not acceptable,” he said.
Pakistan team coach Sarfaraz Ahmed also criticised the Indian players’ conduct, describing it as “uneducated and unacceptable”.