Mohsin Naqvi Locks Asia Cup Trophy in Dubai, Issues Strict Order: "Only I Will Hand It Over to India"

In an unprecedented move that has deepened the diplomatic crisis between India and Pakistan, Asian Cricket Council Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has ordered the Asia Cup trophy to remain locked inside the ACC's Dubai headquarters with strict instructions that it cannot be moved or handed over to anyone without his personal approval. The trophy saga, which began after India's refusal to accept it from Naqvi following their final victory over Pakistan on September 28, continues to escalate weeks after the tournament concluded.

The Order That Stunned Cricket

According to sources close to Naqvi, the Pakistan Interior Minister and PCB Chairman has given explicit directives to ACC staff regarding the trophy's custody.

"As of today the trophy is still in ACC offices in Dubai with clear instructions from Naqvi that it should not be moved or handed over to anyone without his approval and in-person presence."

The source added a more definitive statement about Naqvi's intentions:

"Naqvi has given clear instructions that only he will hand over the trophy in person (whenever that happens) to the Indian team or BCCI."

This means the Asia Cup trophy—rightfully India's after defeating Pakistan in the final—remains held hostage in what has become a bizarre standoff mixing cricket administration with geopolitical tensions.

How We Got Here

The trophy controversy erupted immediately after India's victory in Dubai. During the presentation ceremony, the Indian team, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi. This decision came against the backdrop of heightened India-Pakistan tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and India's subsequent Operation Sindoor military response.

Rather than finding an alternative presenter or allowing a neutral party to hand over the trophy, Naqvi simply walked off the presentation stage carrying the trophy himself. The ceremony was delayed nearly an hour as both sides refused to budge from their positions before eventually ending prematurely without any formal trophy presentation.

BCCI's Strong Objections

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has taken strong exception to Naqvi's actions, arguing he had no right to hold the trophy hostage or insist on being the sole person authorized to hand it over.

A source close to the matter explained the BCCI's position:

"It remains to be seen what will be the long-term ramifications for the PCB or Naqvi because the BCCI is clear he (Naqvi) didn't have any right to insist on handing the trophy himself to the Indian team and refusing to send it to the BCCI who were official hosts of the event."

According to protocol, the Asia Cup trophy should have been delivered to BCCI headquarters in Mumbai by now. Instead, it sits locked in Dubai under Naqvi's personal control, creating an unprecedented situation in international cricket.

The Broader Context

This trophy saga represents merely the latest flashpoint in what was the most controversial Asia Cup in tournament history. Throughout the event, hostilities between India and Pakistan extended beyond the boundary ropes:

• Indian players refused handshakes with Pakistani counterparts in all three encounters

• Players from both sides engaged in politically charged gestures during matches

• Heated confrontations occurred, including Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf's verbal altercation with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill

• Naqvi himself made political statements on social media, further inflaming tensions

The ICC Showdown

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has made clear that Naqvi's behavior will be addressed at the ICC board meeting scheduled for next month. Saikia stated bluntly that "the Asia Cup title is not Naqvi's personal property" and demanded he return it to India immediately.

Reports indicate the BCCI is preparing a strong move that could include:

• Formal censure of Naqvi for his conduct

• A motion to remove him as ICC Director

• Potential sanctions against his dual role as ACC Chairman and PCB chief

An ACC meeting held after the tournament saw tempers flare 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 from Shelar. When the BCCI officials tried raising the trophy issue, Naqvi continuously deflected.

Naqvi's Reported Condition

According to some reports, Naqvi has suggested that if India wants the trophy, captain Suryakumar Yadav should personally fly to Dubai to collect it from him. This demand—if accurate—would represent an extraordinary condition that no cricket board would accept, as it would legitimize Naqvi's personal control over tournament silverware.

What Happens Next?

The standoff shows no signs of resolution. Naqvi appears determined to maintain control of the trophy until he can personally hand it to India, while the BCCI refuses to acknowledge his authority to make such demands. The trophy remains locked in the ACC Dubai office, a physical symbol of the broken relationship between cricket's fiercest rivals.

The upcoming ICC meeting will be crucial. If the BCCI succeeds in getting Naqvi censured or removed from his ICC Director position, it could have far-reaching implications for cricket governance and India-Pakistan sporting relations. However, such a move requires support from other ICC members, and geopolitical alliances could complicate what should be a straightforward cricket administration matter.

For now, India celebrates their Asia Cup triumph without their trophy—an absurd situation that perfectly encapsulates how thoroughly politics has infiltrated cricket between these two nations.