Mohsin Naqvi Explains How India Can Get Asia Cup Trophy Amid Drama
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi explains how India can get Asia Cup trophy following extraordinary post-match events. He offered conditions and context after India refused to accept the trophy.
The dramatic finale saw India beat Pakistan by 5 wickets in Dubai. But India declined to accept the championship trophy from Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
The Final & Trophy Standoff
India chased down 146 with two balls to spare. Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten 69. India claimed their ninth Asia Cup title.
At the award ceremony, India refused to receive the trophy and medals from Naqvi. They accepted only individual awards from neutral dignitaries.
Naqvi later took the trophy and medals to his hotel. He reportedly demanded a formal event to hand them over to India.
Naqvi Lays Out Conditions for Handover
In public statements, Naqvi said that to handover the trophy, there must be a proper ceremony where he presents it personally. He emphasized protocol and decorum.
He said India must agree to a neutral venue and timeline for the formal trophy transfer. Without that, he will not release the trophy.
Some observers view this as a standoff over symbolism and control. The underlying tension is political.
Reactions from India & BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) strongly objected. They said the trophy belongs to the ACC, not an individual.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said India “refused to take the trophy from the ACC chairman who is also a political figure.”
Saikia promised the BCCI would file a formal protest at the upcoming ICC conference.
Meanwhile, India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, called the decision “disappointed” and said the team felt “denied” the chance to lift the trophy.
Why This Episode Matters
This episode illustrates how deeply politics now entangle with cricket. Many see it as a signal that sporting events are no longer free from national tensions.
It also questions governance within cricket bodies. Should a political official also serve as ACC head? Many critics think that dual role compromised fairness.
For fans and players, a champion team got no formal acclaim. The symbolism lost might outweigh the trophy itself.
Key Questions & Issues
- Protocol vs principle: Should India accept the trophy despite refusing to accept Naqvi as presenter?
- Neutral mediator: Can ACC or ICC intervene to assign a neutral official to hand over the trophy?
- Precedent: If India agrees to Naqvi’s conditions, does it set precedent for future conflicts in cricket administration?
- Damage control: Can cricket diplomacy survive these controversies, especially between India and Pakistan?
Looking Ahead: What to Expect
The ACC Board is expected to review the matter during its next meeting. The BCCI will push for formal mediation.
India and Pakistan cricket boards may negotiate venue and date to transfer the trophy outside of conflict zones.
ICC may intervene if the standoff persists. They could mandate a neutral handover or penalize non-compliance with tournament rules.
Media and fans will follow this saga closely. The trophy may have changed hands, but the drama lives on.
