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BCCI Demands Return of Asia Cup Trophy, May Escalate Row to ICC

  • By Thetripurapost Sports Desk, New Delhi
  • Oct 21, 2025
  • 554

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially written to Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi, demanding that the Asia Cup 2025 trophy be handed back to India. The development comes after the post-final presentation controversy where the Indian team declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi.

In an exclusive interaction with India Today, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board has taken the matter up formally and is awaiting a response from the ACC chief. “We have gone step by step in this process. If there’s no response, the next step will be to approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) through an official communication,” Saikia said.

The controversy erupted after India’s thrilling victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, when the team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. The BCCI’s stand was that the presentation should have been conducted by a neutral ACC official, not a political figure.

Following the incident, Naqvi reportedly ordered ACC officials to remove the trophy from the venue, which was later placed at the ACC headquarters in Dubai. According to sources quoted by PTI, both Sri Lanka Cricket and the Afghanistan Cricket Board have backed India’s demand and urged the ACC chief to return the trophy.

> “This does not give him the right to take the trophy and medals with him. It is extremely unfortunate and unsportsmanlike,” Saikia stated. “We hope the trophy and medals will be returned to India as soon as possible.”

 

Despite pressure from multiple member boards, Naqvi has stood firm, insisting that an Indian representative or the team captain must personally visit Dubai to collect the silverware. The BCCI has rejected this condition outright, calling it “unacceptable and disrespectful.”

During the ACC meeting on September 30, the BCCI lodged a formal protest, emphasizing that the Asia Cup belongs to the Asian Cricket Council, not any individual office bearer. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla reiterated that the trophy should be officially presented to the Indian team and placed under the council’s official custody until then.

The incident has widened the rift between India and Pakistan’s cricketing establishments, casting a shadow over what should have been a moment of celebration for the Indian squad. The ICC’s upcoming executive meeting is now expected to see discussions on this unprecedented trophy dispute.