Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali sharply criticized India for refusing to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi. The issue erupted after the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian side declined to receive the championship silverware following their win against Pakistan in the final on September 18.
The tournament’s conclusion turned controversial as India refused to take the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as the PCB chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Despite India’s five-wicket victory, the presentation ceremony faced an hour-long delay as the players avoided any interaction with him.
Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Kuldeep Yadav received their individual awards. Officials then cut the main ceremony short. The Indian players celebrated their win without the trophy. Naqvi later walked out of Dubai International Stadium carrying the silverware.
“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 told Pakistan’s Arynews TV.
Basit Ali Warns Against “Stubborn” Behavior
Basit Ali argued that such behavior from the top-ranked team sends the wrong message to the cricketing world.
“You’re the No.1 team, you played well and won, but what is this stubbornness? Mohsin Naqvi is the head of the Asian Cricket Council. Suppose it had been an ICC event, and Pakistan refused to accept the trophy from Jay Shah, Pakistan would have been wrong there,” said Basit.
Heated Exchanges Between ACC and BCCI
The ACC meeting held earlier this week saw tense exchanges between Mohsin Naqvi and BCCI officials Ashish Shelar and Rajeev Shukla. Officials reportedly told PCB representatives to return the trophy or deliver it to ACC headquarters, but Naqvi refused the demand.
Naqvi later clarified on social media that he had not apologized to the BCCI and maintained his stance. He asserted that Suryakumar Yadav must visit the ACC headquarters in person if India wants to collect the trophy.
India-Pakistan Rivalry Spills Beyond the Field
Strained relations already overshadowed the Asia Cup 2025, as Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. This was the first on-field encounter between the two nations since the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. They met three times during the tournament.
The trophy dispute has now added a new layer to the long-standing India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, sparking debates about sportsmanship, diplomacy, and the role of politics in cricket.
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