The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to escalate the Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy to the International Cricket Council (ICC). The development comes after India refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi following their Asia Cup victory.
BCCI Secretary Confirms ICC Meeting in Dubai
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the matter will be discussed during the ICC’s meeting in Dubai, scheduled for the first week of November. He said the board intends to lodge a strong protest against the ACC chairman’s handling of the presentation ceremony.
“Asia Cup Is a Multinational Tournament”
Saikia emphasized that the Asia Cup is a multinational event, not a bilateral series. He reiterated that the BCCI has always acted in line with the Indian government’s policy regarding cricketing relations with Pakistan.
Refusal to Receive Trophy from ACC Chairman
After defeating Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, the Indian team declined to receive the trophy from ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Saikia explained that the decision was intentional, as Naqvi is a central figure in the Pakistani government, and BCCI did not wish to be associated with him.
According to reports, Naqvi took the trophy and medals back with him. BCCI expects the awards to be handed over to India soon.
Financial Reward for Indian Players
To celebrate the team’s triumph, BCCI announced a financial bonus of INR 210 million (21 crore rupees) for the Indian squad. Saikia praised the players, expressing pride in their victory over Pakistan.
Sportsmanship Questioned
The incident, however, raised questions about sportsmanship, as critics argue that refusing to accept the trophy at the official presentation undermined the spirit of the game. The matter is now set to be debated further at the ICC level.
