Asia Cup trophy moved from ACC headquarters to Abu Dhabi by Mohsin Naqvi amid ICC pressure

Weeks after the Asia Cup 2025 final match between India and Pakistan in Dubai, the controversy surrounding the trophy has taken another twist. According to reports, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has moved the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters to an undisclosed location in Abu Dhabi.

The Suryakumar Yadav-led team maintained a stance of refusing to shake hands with Pakistan’s players throughout the tournament. They also declined to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Naqvi insisted that it was his right and duty to present the trophy to the Indian cricket team.

Tensions Between India and Pakistan Spill from Battlefield to Cricket Field

Tensions between India and Pakistan further strained after a four-day military clash earlier in the year. It continued onto the cricket field during the Asia Cup 2025. Notably, it was the first cricket tournament between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir.

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Suryakumar Yadav dedicated a win to the Indian armed forces. Pakistani cricketers made gestures such as mock gunfire and plane crashes.

India defeated Pakistan in the final on September 28. However, the tournament ended in controversy, with India refusing to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi. The Asia Cup will likely be remembered less for cricket and more for the political and emotional tensions.

Asia Cup Trophy Removed from ACC Office and Locked in Abu Dhabi by Mohsin Naqvi

According to a report by ANI, after India declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy, an official removed it from the presentation stage without offering any explanation.

The situation took another twist when a BCCI representative recently visited the ACC headquarters to inquire about the trophy’s whereabouts, only to learn that it had been relocated to another site in Abu Dhabi.

"A BCCI official visited ACC headquarters a few days back. When he inquired about the trophy in the ACC office, the staff told him that it has been removed from here and is in the custody of Moshin Naqvi in some place in Abu Dhabi," the sources said.

Mohsin Naqvi Insists India Must Collect Asia Cup Trophy in Person

Mohsin Naqvi reportedly told Indian officials that if they truly wanted the Asia Cup 2025 trophy, they would need to collect it from him at the ACC office. According to Geo News, he even suggested organizing a formal ceremony where the trophy could be presented to India.

This response came after the BCCI sent a letter requesting that the trophy be officially handed over. Naqvi, however, refused to budge and insisted that an Indian player must personally attend the event to receive it.

Following an ACC meeting in late September, reports emerged claiming that Naqvi had apologized to the BCCI for the post-final chaos, though he later denied issuing any such apology. The meeting ended without any concrete resolution on when or how the trophy would be handed over to India.

Also read: Virat Kohli ordered to regain form quickly to remain in ICC ODI World Cup 2027 plans