"I Don't Even Know Who He Is": Former ICC Umpire Anil Chaudhary Blasts Mohsin Naqvi Over Asia Cup Trophy Controversy

Former ICC umpire Anil Chaudhary has delivered a scathing criticism of Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi over the ongoing Asia Cup trophy controversy, dismissing the Pakistan Interior Minister's actions as unprecedented and stating he doesn't even recognize who Naqvi is. The comments come nearly three weeks after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28 in Dubai, yet Suryakumar Yadav's victorious team remains without their trophy or winners' medals.

The Trophy Standoff

The controversy erupted immediately after India's seven-wicket victory when the presentation ceremony descended into chaos. Naqvi, who serves as both ACC chairman and Pakistan Cricket Board chief, was scheduled to present the trophy to the winning team. However, India refused to accept the silverware from him, citing his anti-India stance and political statements made during the tournament.

Rather than finding an alternative presenter, Naqvi walked off the presentation stage carrying the trophy himself, leaving India's players empty-handed. The trophy has since been locked away at the ACC's Dubai headquarters with strict instructions that it cannot be moved or handed over without Naqvi's personal approval and presence.

According to sources, Naqvi has maintained his position that if India wants the trophy, they must collect it directly from him—a condition the BCCI has flatly rejected.

Chaudhary's Harsh Criticism

Speaking on the Raunac Podcast, Chaudhary—who officiated in numerous international matches during his career—expressed disbelief at the situation and delivered brutal criticism of Naqvi's conduct.

"Anybody could have handed over the trophy. There were plenty of individuals representing the UAE authority as well. Nothing states that you have to collect the trophy from just one person. It has no mention in the rules but woh Sajjan trophy leke chale gaye (he took away the trophy). Sajjan also has another meaning. Like I said, there's no rule that only one person has to hand over the trophy."

The 60-year-old's use of the term "Sajjan" (gentleman) appeared deliberately ironic, suggesting Naqvi's behavior was anything but gentlemanly. When asked if he had ever met Naqvi, Chaudhary's response was even more cutting:

"I don't even know who he is. I just know Mohsin Raza. I only saw it in the media. Yeh coat-pant waalo se zyada milta nahi main (I don't meet people who wear coats and pants)."

This dismissive reference to "coat-pant waale" (people who wear suits) positioned Naqvi as someone from the administrative class whom Chaudhary—a former on-field official—had no interaction with and no respect for.

Unprecedented in Cricket History

Chaudhary emphasized that in his decades of involvement in cricket, he had never witnessed such an incident where a trophy was withheld from the winning team.

"I have never seen a trophy not be given. In local cricket, yes, there must have been instances, but I can't recall."

This statement underscored the extraordinary nature of Naqvi's actions. While trophy presentation delays or minor controversies occasionally occur at lower levels of cricket, for the governing body chairman to personally walk away with championship silverware after an international tournament final represents an unprecedented breach of sporting protocol.

The Broader Context

The Asia Cup 2025 was marred by Indo-Pakistan tensions throughout the tournament. Beyond the trophy incident, several controversies dominated headlines:

Handshake Boycott: Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistani counterparts in all three encounters between the rivals. This included the final, where despite India's comprehensive victory, no post-match pleasantries were exchanged.

Political Gestures: Players from both sides engaged in politically charged celebrations and gestures during matches, with Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf's confrontation with Indian batsmen Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill becoming particularly heated.

Social Media Statements: Naqvi himself made political statements on social media during the tournament, further inflaming tensions and making it impossible for India to accept the trophy from him.

Pahalgam Terror Attack: The tournament took place against the backdrop of heightened tensions following a terror attack in Pahalgam and India's subsequent Operation Sindoor military response, which had already strained bilateral relations.

Chaudhary on Handshake Controversy

Addressing the handshake boycott that many criticized, Chaudhary provided historical perspective:

"There's no such guideline. The handshake culture has come into existence since the last 15-16 years. When I started officiating in the Ranji Trophy, there was no such practice. Yes, the captains used to shake hands but not all players. Today, the players shake hands with almost 70 people. This is just a gesture. It's up to you whether you want to or not."

His comments suggest that while handshakes have become customary, they remain voluntary gestures of sportsmanship rather than mandatory requirements. This provides some context for India's decision, even if many observers felt it went against cricket's spirit.

Players Break Silence

Indian spinner Varun Chakaravarthy recently addressed the controversy on Breakfast with Champions hosted by Gaurav Kapur, offering a defiant yet lighthearted take:

"It felt good, I knew we were going to win all the matches. We are the number one team in the world. Cup cheen sakte hain, but we are champions."

Translation: "They can snatch the cup, but we are champions."

Chakaravarthy revealed he had planned to post a photo of himself sleeping with the trophy but had to settle for posing with a coffee cup instead due to the missing silverware. The Indian team creatively handled the awkward situation by posting edited photos on social media showing the trophy, turning the controversy into a moment of humor.

BCCI's Response and Next Steps

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has taken strong exception to Naqvi's actions and is preparing to escalate the matter. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has made clear the board's position:

• Formal complaint to be raised at the next ICC board meeting

• Seeking censure or removal of Naqvi as ICC Director

• Demanding immediate return of the trophy without conditions

• Characterizing Naqvi's behavior as treating the Asia Cup "like his personal property"

An ACC meeting held after the tournament reportedly saw heated exchanges between Naqvi and BCCI representatives including Rajeev Shukla and Ashish Shelar. Initially, Naqvi even refused to congratulate India on winning the tournament before eventually doing so under pressure.

International Reaction

The controversy has damaged Naqvi's reputation internationally. Cricket administrators and former players from neutral countries have privately expressed dismay at how the situation has been handled. The perception that Naqvi allowed ego and politics to interfere with what should have been a celebration of India's cricketing achievement has drawn widespread criticism.

Some have suggested that Naqvi's dual role as both Pakistan's Interior Minister and ACC chairman creates an inherent conflict of interest, particularly in tournaments involving India-Pakistan matches. Calls for ACC leadership reform to prevent such situations in the future are gaining traction.

What Happens Next?

As of mid-October 2025, the trophy remains locked in the ACC Dubai office. Naqvi has shown no signs of backing down from his demand that India must collect it directly from him—a condition the BCCI categorically refuses to accept.

The upcoming ICC board meeting will likely see this issue dominate discussions. If the BCCI succeeds in having Naqvi censured or removed from his ICC Director position, it could set a precedent for how cricket's governing bodies handle conflicts of interest involving board members who also hold national cricket administrative positions.

For India, the absence of physical hardware doesn't diminish their achievement. They comprehensively defeated Pakistan in the final, winning three out of three matches in the tournament. As Varun Chakaravarthy succinctly put it, the trophy may have been snatched, but India remains the undisputed champions.

However, the broader question remains: can cricket administration be insulated from geopolitical tensions? The Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy suggests the answer is increasingly no, with serious implications for future bilateral relations and tournament hosting arrangements between the sport's fiercest rivals.