ISLAMABAD — Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Wednesday that India is “welcome” to collect their Asia Cup trophy directly from him in Dubai, following their victory over Pakistan in the recent tournament.
India retained the Asia Cup by defeating Pakistan in a thrilling final on Sunday, but the team did not receive the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister. Instead, Indian players celebrated by mimicking holding the trophy, with captain Suryakumar Yadav later stating that they had been denied the actual prize.
“As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now,” Naqvi tweeted. “If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me.”
Addressing reports from Indian media claiming that he had apologized to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the issue, Naqvi firmly denied the allegations. “Indian media thrives on lies, not facts. Let me make absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologized to the BCCI nor will I ever do so,” he said, calling the claims “fabricated nonsense” aimed at misleading the Indian public.
Naqvi criticized India for bringing politics into cricket, saying it damages the spirit of the game. The tournament, held in the UAE, was overshadowed by political tensions and gestures between players, marking the first cricket encounter between the two countries since a deadly military conflict in May.
The series of matches included high drama, with India winning all three encounters and refusing to shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Agha in their first meeting. Both teams also engaged in symbolic gestures referencing the military conflict that had claimed more than 70 lives.
Due to ongoing political tensions, India and Pakistan continue to play against each other only on neutral grounds during international tournaments.
