Asia Cup 2025: Countdown to India’s Triumph

What is the current status of the Asia Cup Trophy, which was controversially retained on September 28 in Dubai instead of being awarded to the winning Indian team?

Various explanations have emerged, with one incorrect claim suggesting that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi took the trophy to Pakistan, insisting the Indian team accept it from him directly.

In reality, while Naqvi did demand the trophy be received from him, the situation is a bit different. Cricbuzz reported this on September 29.

Our sources indicate the trophy, left behind when the Indian team declined to accept it from Naqvi, is now stored in the ACC’s Dubai office.

Naqvi, also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has reportedly instructed ACC staff not to move the trophy from the office without his approval. This office, located within the ICC Academy complex in Dubai, is maintained by two employees.

The pressing question now is how to resolve this impasse. During the ACC Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dubai on September 30, a decision was made for the five ACC Test-playing nations – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan – to address the issue and reach a consensus. Their meeting is planned for the beginning of next month, aligning with the ICC’s quarterly session in Dubai.

The situation could become more complex if Naqvi does not attend the meeting, as it’s uncertain he will appear. In July, he skipped the ICC Annual Conference, and some ACC members suspect he might send a representative again for the meeting from November 4 to 7.

If a resolution isn’t reached, the trophy may remain undisturbed in the ACC office, unless the ACC members come to an understanding. The response of the BCCI will be crucial, as they are not powerless in ensuring that the Indian team receives their deserved trophy after defeating Pakistan.

When asked, BCCI officials mentioned the board will determine its next steps in due time, noting there is still some time until the meeting. A request for comment from a PCB spokesman went unanswered.