PCB chief's trophy tiff: Apology not enough, BCCI rejects Naqvi's conditions
Dubai (The Uttam Hindu): The Indian cricket team not only defeated Pakistan on the field in the final of the Asia Cup 2025, but what happened off the field has caused an earthquake in the cricket world. Following the crushing 5-wicket defeat in the final, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi was so distraught that he fled the stadium with the trophy and medals belonging to the winning team, Team India. He has since apologized for this shameful act, but his arrogance remains.
When the Indian team arrived at the podium to receive the trophy after winning the final on Wednesday, the players flatly refused to accept it from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi. Following this unexpected turn of events, Naqvi stood alone on the podium for a considerable time, while thousands of Indian fans in the stadium cheered the team on, chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai."
Enraged by his humiliation, Mohsin Naqvi angrily stepped off the podium and left the stadium. His biggest challenge was taking the original Asia Cup trophy and the medals reserved for Indian players with him. According to sources, he said that if India wanted the trophy and medals, they should come and collect them from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) office in Dubai.
Following this major controversy, an emergency meeting was held today in Dubai between the Indian and Pakistani boards. At the meeting, PCB chief Naqvi apologized for his actions and stated that what happened should not have happened. However, he refused to return the trophy and medals, leading to a heated debate between the two sides.
Naqvi demanded in the meeting that Indian batsman Suryakumar Yadav come to Dubai and take the trophy. BCCI officials responded to this childish demand, saying, "He didn't take the trophy when you were standing in front of him. Do you think he'll come now at your call?" The PCB chief was left with no answer after the BCCI's response. This controversy has now become one of the biggest controversies in cricket history.