Pakistan to honour Mohsin Naqvi with special medal for Asia Cup disgrace and stealing India’s trophy

The ongoing Asia Cup 2025 trophy saga has taken another turn, as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi is reportedly set to receive a special gold medal in recognition of his decisive role during the controversy over the trophy handover to Suryakumar Yadav's India.

India are yet to receive medals and the trophy despite winning the final against Pakistan in Dubai on September 28. Naqvi insisted that the champions should collect the trophy and medals from him at the ACC office. Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly declined the request.

Mohsin Naqvi Walked Away with the Trophy, Denying the Champions Their Moment of Celebration

India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the summit clash. Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten half-century while chasing a target of 147, but the players declined to accept the silverware from Mohsin Naqvi during the post-match ceremony.

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Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister, insisted on personally presenting the cup despite his openly hostile political stance toward India. He walked away with the trophy, leaving the champions without their moment of celebration.

Nearly a week later, India still remain without the trophy. The BCCI, displeased with the situation, is weighing a formal complaint to the ICC. Meanwhile, Naqvi has told the Indian board that the only way to claim the trophy is to collect it directly from him at the ACC office.

Mohsin Naqvi to Be Awarded with Medal Amid Asia Cup Trophy Controversy

Pakistani media have reported that Mohsin Naqvi will be honoured with the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Excellence Gold Medal in Karachi, with the recognition tied to his handling of the Asia Cup controversy against India.

According to The Nation, the medal, announced by Karachi Basketball Association president Advocate Ghulam Abbas Jamal, will be conferred at a high-profile ceremony where PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is expected to attend as chief guest.

Naqvi resisted Indian demands regarding the trophy presentation. However, his conduct drew criticism, as the Asian Cricket Council president is expected to remain neutral.

The PCB chairman was seen backing Pakistan openly. He also instructed players to boycott their travel for a UAE fixture in protest against match referee Andy Pycroft, whom he accused of ignoring India’s refusal to shake hands after their clash.

Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Kuldeep Yadav Collected Individual Awards

Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Kuldeep Yadav collected their individual honours, but the event ended without the trophy being handed to the champions. However, the Indian players continued their celebrations on the field, even without silverware.

In an ACC meeting earlier this week, BCCI representatives Ashish Shelar and Rajeev Shukla pressed Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi to either return the trophy or send it to the ACC headquarters.

Naqvi stated that Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav must personally come to collect it from him. He even posted online to reinforce his stance, making it clear he had not apologised for his position.

Earlier in the tournament, India avoided customary handshakes with Pakistani players following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. The hostility between the two sides extended well beyond the cricket pitch throughout the tournament.

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