Dubai [UAE]: Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has urged Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi not to hand over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy to India if the Suryakumar Yadav-led team continues to refuse accepting it. The dramatic climax of the eight-team tournament on September 18 saw India winning the title over Pakistan by five wickets, but the presentation ceremony was marred by controversy.
India refuses trophy from ACC President
During the final at the Dubai International Stadium, India refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and a Pakistani Interior Minister. The incident caused the award ceremony to be delayed by almost an hour, as India declined any formal greetings from Naqvi.
While individual awards were distributed—Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Kuldeep Yadav received their respective honours—the team presentation of the trophy was cut short. Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates celebrated the victory on the field without collecting the trophy, leaving Naqvi to leave the stadium with it.
Basit Ali criticises India’s stance
Speaking to Arynews TV, Basit Ali criticised India’s decision, stating: “They are the No. 1-ranked team, but their actions are third-rate. Mohsin Naqvi will present the trophy. If they refuse to accept, they would be disgraced in the eyes of the world. The trophy should not be handed over.”
Ali emphasised that sportsmanship should prevail regardless of political tensions. “You’re the No.1 team, you played well and won, but what is this stubbornness? Suppose it had been an ICC event, and Pakistan refused to accept the trophy from Jay Shah, Pakistan would have been wrong there,” he added, referring to the ICC chairman.
ACC-Pakistan and BCCI tensions
Earlier this week, the ACC held a meeting to resolve the issue, where tempers reportedly flared between Naqvi and BCCI representatives Ashish Shelar and Rajeev Shukla. The PCB chairman was asked to return the trophy or send it to ACC headquarters, but he deflected from the main issue.
Naqvi later clarified on social media that he did not apologise to the BCCI and his stance remained firm. He stated that if India wants the trophy, Suryakumar Yadav would need to personally visit the ACC headquarters to accept it.
India-Pakistan cricket and broader tensions
The Asia Cup also highlighted ongoing India-Pakistan cricketing tensions. Players from both teams avoided handshakes, reflecting the strained relationship following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor earlier in the year. The two sides played three matches in the tournament, making this the first meeting since the geopolitical incidents.
Conclusion
The Asia Cup 2025 final ended not just as a cricketing contest but as a symbol of wider diplomatic and sporting tensions. While India celebrated their on-field success, Basit Ali’s remarks underscore calls for respecting cricketing protocol and ensuring that sportsmanship transcends political disputes. The resolution of the trophy issue now lies with the ACC and its President Mohsin Naqvi.