PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi apologises to BCCI over Asia Cup Trophy row, but refuses to return Cup
PTC Web Desk: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has tendered an apology to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following the controversy that erupted after the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28. Sources said Naqvi struck a conciliatory tone at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting held on September 30, after his actions sparked outrage when the Indian team was denied the traditional trophy presentation.
Tensions flared on the night of the final when the Indian players declined to accept the trophy and medals directly from Naqvi. In response, the ACC chief ordered officials to remove the silverware from the ground, denying the champions a victory ceremony. Reports also claimed that Naqvi later carried the trophy and medals to his hotel room.
At the ACC meeting, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla strongly condemned the PCB chairman’s behaviour, stressing that the Asia Cup trophy is the property of the ACC and not of any individual office-bearer. He demanded that the trophy be formally presented to India’s winning captain, Suryakumar Yadav, and placed under ACC’s official custody.
Earlier, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had criticised Naqvi, calling his conduct “unsportsmanlike” and confirming that India had consciously decided not to receive the trophy from the ACC chairman. Saikia added that the cup and medals should be returned to the Indian team without delay.
While Naqvi expressed regret over the controversy, he has stood his ground on not returning the trophy directly. He reportedly told the BCCI that if India wanted the trophy, their captain must personally collect it from the ACC headquarters in Dubai — a demand that the BCCI swiftly rejected.
- With inputs from agencies
