Mumbai: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has proposed holding a trophy handover ceremony in Dubai on November 10, where the Asia Cup can be officially presented to the Indian men’s cricket team.
The proposal follows a series of letters exchanged between the ACC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Naqvi, who also serves as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president and the country’s Interior Minister, confirmed the development to reporters in Karachi, according to a report by Telecom Asia Sport.
“There was a series of letters exchanged with the BCCI, and the ACC has conveyed that we are ready to host Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his players, along with BCCI official Rajiv Shukla, to take the trophy in a ceremony on November 10 in Dubai,” Naqvi said.
Trophy Standoff After Asia Cup Final
Following India’s victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final on September 28, the team reportedly declined to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who had intended to present it personally in his capacity as ACC president.
According to the report, a stalemate lasting nearly an hour ensued before Naqvi ordered the trophy to be removed from the stadium. India’s skipper Suryakumar later mocked the presentation during celebrations with his teammates, and the squad returned without the trophy.
Reports from India alleged that the Indian players’ refusal was linked to Naqvi’s position as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and his alleged support for terrorism in India.
BCCI’s Next Steps and ICC Meetings
Indian media outlets have indicated that the BCCI may raise the matter at upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) and ACC meetings, with the ICC Board meeting scheduled in Dubai from November 4–7.
Naqvi confirmed that the ACC had formally invited the Indian delegation, saying:
“The ACC has written to the BCCI that a ceremony can be held in Dubai on November 10. Bring your captain and players and receive the trophy from me.”
Disciplinary Actions and On-field Tensions
India defeated Pakistan in all three matches of the tournament. The matches were marked by tense exchanges, with players from both sides refusing post-match handshakes.
After the first match, Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, resulting in a 30% match fee fine by the ICC for making a political statement.
Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf was also fined 30% of his fee for displaying political slogans during the second match, while opener Sahibzada Farhan escaped sanction for his gun-firing celebration after scoring a half-century.