Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the BCCI, called his decision to deny India their deserved trophy “unsportsmanlike and unacceptable.”
In the Asia Cup 2025 final at Dubai International Stadium, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets, but the squad left without the medals and trophy they had worked so hard to acquire. Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and president of the Asian Cricket Council, insisted on being the only one to present the trophy. Resolute in their position, the Indian team declined to receive the prize from Naqvi.
The squad led by Suryakumar Yadav refused to accept the prize from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister. Considering Naqvi’s political standing and his history of contentious behaviour throughout the tournament, BCCI officials claim that this decision was made on purpose.
Naqvi maintained that he would be the only one to accept the trophy, even though India was open to receiving it from either Aminul Islam, the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, or Khalid Al Zarooni, the vice-chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board. The Indian team was left to celebrate with confetti and fireworks after the victors’ trophy and medals were completely removed off the stage.
Naqvi, however, has been involved in a number of scandals during the Asia Cup this year. He has been accused of putting Pakistan’s interests ahead of his responsibilities as Asian Cricket Council chairman in a number of incidents, such as the no-handshake controversy that led to demands for the dismissal of match referee David Pycroft.
It’s very regrettable and unsportsmanlike: Devajit Saikia
The ACC chair reportedly took the medals and trophy with him as he left the event, according to an India Today article. T
“The ACC chairman, who is also one of Pakistan’s top leaders, has offered us the Asia Cup 2025 trophy, but we have chosen not to accept it. That was a deliberate choice. He is not entitled to take the medals and trophy with him because of this. It’s quite regrettable and unsportsmanlike. We hope that as soon as feasible, the medals and trophy would be sent back to India. We will launch a very severe and forceful protest against the ACC chairman’s activities during the ICC conference that is set to take place in Dubai in November. We were supposed to get the trophy from a leader on their behalf, but India and that nation are at odds.
he International Cricket Council (ICC) will hear a serious and forceful protest from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at its next summit in Dubai this November.
Someone representing a country that is currently at enmity with ours cannot give us a trophy. That was our position. However, that does not give the individual the right to grab the medals and trophy that were intended for our team and carry them to his hotel room. That is totally unacceptable. During today’s prize distribution ceremony, we will be voicing a strong protest against his actions, and we hope he will change his mind,” Saikia stated.
The BCCI secretary also discussed the squad’s long-term strategy for playing against bitter rivals Pakistan, stating that the team will only play the country in international competitions.
“For every game, BCCI has adhered to the spirit and the guidelines established by the Indian government. Therefore, India will not compete against Pakistan or any other adversary in a bilateral event. And for the past 12 to 15 years, the BCCI has been doing it. According to the government, we must participate in international competitions, whether they involve football or cricket. If not, international federations will forbid the federation. Thus, we adhered to the Central Government’s policy,” he continued.
India
