In a rapidly escalating power tussle between India and Pakistan’s cricket authorities, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly preparing to move for the censure and possible removal of Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi from his position as Director on the International Cricket Council (ICC) board. The fallout stems from the explosive “Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy,” which has now spilled beyond the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and into global cricket governance.

The Trophy Fiasco That Sparked It All

The controversy began during the Asia Cup 2025 final, where India defeated Pakistan in a dramatic, high-stakes encounter. But what should have been a moment of celebration turned into a diplomatic standoff. When it came time for the post-match presentation, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who not only heads the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) but also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister.

The refusal came amid heightened political tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, which had left several Indian soldiers dead just months earlier. According to sources, the Indian players were unwilling to receive the silverware from a Pakistani politician under such circumstances.

What followed was an unprecedented standoff. Naqvi reportedly took the trophy and left the venue, later transporting it to the ACC headquarters in Dubai, where it has remained ever since. Despite repeated requests from the BCCI, Naqvi has refused to release the trophy, insisting that he will hand it over to the Indian team personally.

“He Had No Right to Insist”: BCCI Prepares Formal Action

The situation has left the BCCI fuming. According to a PTI report, the Indian board is now set to escalate the matter to the ICC, with a plan to seek Naqvi’s formal censure and potential removal as ICC Director.

“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,” a BCCI source told PTI.

The BCCI Secretary, Devajit Saikia, confirmed that the board will raise the issue at the upcoming ICC meeting scheduled for November. “The Indian cricket body will lodge a complaint against Naqvi at the ICC,” Saikia said, emphasizing that the BCCI considers the Asia Cup incident a breach of protocol and disrespect to the host nation.

Trophy Still “Held Hostage” at ACC Headquarters

Sources close to Naqvi, however, claim he remains adamant. A person familiar with the matter told PTI, “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.”

Naqvi reportedly continues to insist that only he will hand over the trophy to the Indian team or the BCCI—whenever that may happen. The stance has effectively frozen the trophy transfer process, leaving the symbolic prize of Asia’s premier cricket tournament in limbo.

A Post-Match Presentation That Never Happened

The tension between the two cricket boards was palpable even during the Asia Cup final’s post-match ceremony. Following India’s victory, the presentation ceremony was delayed by nearly an hour as both sides stood firm. The event eventually ended abruptly, without a formal handover of the trophy, marking one of the most bizarre endings in tournament history.

For Naqvi, the incident appears to have been personal. He viewed India’s refusal as a direct insult and a political snub, and reportedly “could not digest the humiliation.” By taking the trophy to Dubai himself, he aimed to assert control over the narrative—but in doing so, may have worsened relations between the ACC, PCB, and BCCI.

Heated Exchanges at ACC Meeting

The fallout continued off the field. At a recent ACC meeting, Naqvi reportedly faced a strong rebuke from senior BCCI officials, including Rajeev Shukla and Ashish Shelar. According to reports, Naqvi initially refused to congratulate Team India for their Asia Cup victory, relenting only after pressure from Shelar. The meeting also saw heated exchanges between both sides, though Naqvi avoided discussing the ongoing trophy standoff.

Adding fuel to the fire, Naqvi’s social media posts targeting India after the final have been widely criticized by Indian cricket officials and fans alike. His remarks, viewed as politically charged, only deepened the perception that cricket’s neutrality was being compromised under his leadership.

Naqvi’s Unyielding Conditions: “Suryakumar Must Collect It in Person”

In a new twist, sources suggest that Naqvi has placed an unusual condition for the trophy’s release: India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav must personally travel to Dubai to collect it. This demand has been perceived as another provocation by the BCCI, which maintains that the trophy should have been handed over to the Indian team immediately after the final, as per international sporting norms.

“Naqvi has given clear instructions that only he will hand over the trophy in person (whenever that happens) to the Indian team or BCCI,” said a source close to the ACC President. This stand has only widened the rift between the Indian and Pakistani cricket administrations.

BCCI’s Next Move: Bringing the Matter to ICC

The BCCI now plans to formally raise the issue at the upcoming ICC board meeting next month, which will be presided over by ICC Chairman Jay Shah—who also happens to be the BCCI Secretary’s predecessor and one of the most influential figures in world cricket.

Officials within the Indian board are reportedly preparing a detailed complaint outlining Naqvi’s actions as a violation of ICC’s code of conduct and an example of “politicization of cricket administration.” The BCCI may push for a formal censure and vote of removal against Naqvi from his ICC Director role, sources indicate.

ICC Politics: Potential Ripple Effects

The implications of this move could be far-reaching. Naqvi’s dual role—as PCB chief, ACC chairman, and ICC Director—places him at the intersection of Asian and global cricket politics. Any disciplinary action against him would inevitably strain India-Pakistan relations further, both on and off the cricket field.

However, the BCCI reportedly believes that Naqvi’s conduct has crossed a line. “This is not about India-Pakistan hostility,” one senior official said. “This is about respecting the sport’s protocol and the authority of the host nation. No official has the right to hold a tournament trophy hostage.”

Asia Cup 2025: Cricket Overshadowed by Politics

The Asia Cup 2025, which should have been a celebration of regional cricketing excellence, instead became a stage for political tension and administrative chaos. India’s refusal to engage with Pakistani officials during the tournament created a chain reaction that eventually overshadowed the cricket itself.

During the group stage, the PCB even attempted to have ICC match referee Andy Pycroft removed after alleging that he “inappropriately instructed” their captain Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with India’s Suryakumar Yadav at the toss. Reports suggest Pakistan even considered boycotting their Group A match against UAE over the issue before backing down.

By the time the two sides met again in the Super 4 and final stages, the on-field rivalry had become visibly tense, with several heated exchanges between players leading to fines and reprimands from the ICC following complaints from both the BCCI and PCB.

What Lies Ahead for Mohsin Naqvi?

The next ICC meeting could determine Naqvi’s fate on the global cricket board. With mounting pressure from the BCCI and growing criticism over his conduct, the ACC and PCB chairman may find himself increasingly isolated. Whether the ICC opts for a formal censure, a warning, or outright removal remains to be seen—but the BCCI appears resolute.

In the meantime, the Asia Cup trophy continues to sit in Dubai—untouched, undelivered, and symbolic of the deep mistrust that continues to mar cricket’s most storied rivalry.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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