‘The trophy will come to us…’- Former Indian spinner says Mohsin Naqvi has no authority over Asia Cup trophy

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh strongly criticized Mohsin Naqvi for allegedly taking away the Asia Cup trophy and failing to return it to the rightful winners. His remarks added fuel to an already heated post-tournament controversy.

The issue surfaced after the conclusion of the eight-team Asia Cup on September 28, when India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling final at the Dubai International Stadium. The victory marked yet another successful campaign for Team India on the continental stage.

However, what should have been a celebration quickly turned into a dispute over the trophy’s possession. Harbhajan expressed disappointment, emphasizing that such incidents tarnish the spirit of the game and the integrity of major international tournaments.

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Harbhajan Singh Strongly Criticizes Mohsin Naqvi:

Suryakumar Yadav’s Indian side reportedly declined to receive the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as chairman of both the Asian Cricket Council and the Pakistan Cricket Board. The standoff caused nearly an hour’s delay in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Despite repeated attempts to resolve the issue, neither side backed down, forcing officials to call off the ceremony abruptly. While individual honours were presented to Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Kuldeep Yadav for their performances, the Indian team ultimately left without being handed the winning trophy, leaving fans and officials stunned by the unusual turn of events.

Following the dispute, Mohsin Naqvi reportedly walked out of the stadium, taking the Asia Cup trophy with him. The trophy is now said to be kept at the ACC headquarters, though Naqvi has expressed his intention to eventually hand it over to India.

Harbhajan Singh, however, dismissed the entire episode, stating that such behaviour holds no real significance. He emphasized that Naqvi does not have the authority to decide whether or not India should receive the trophy, and that administrative confusion should never overshadow the team’s rightful achievement on the field.

He said, “ A lot happened during the Asia Cup. About the handshake saga — before that, the bigger question was whether the matches should have happened at all.”

He further said, “ India won the tournament, and that is their biggest trophy. I don’t think Naqvi or anyone else is big enough to decide whether the trophy should be awarded or not. If not today, then tomorrow the trophy will be given, so what’s the point of keeping it aside? We have won it, and the trophy will come to us one day or another.”

Tensions Rise During Intense ACC Meeting:

After the Asia Cup ended, the ACC conducted a meeting where BCCI officials Rajeev Shukla and Ashish Shelar confronted Mohsin Naqvi. Despite repeated queries about returning the trophy to India, Pakistan’s Interior Minister avoided giving a clear response, leaving the matter unresolved and adding more tension to the already heated post-tournament discussions.

Naqvi clarified that he never apologized to the BCCI for his actions and even challenged India to collect the trophy directly from the ACC headquarters. The 2025 Asia Cup was marred by several controversies between India and Pakistan, unfolding amid heightened political tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, which added further intensity to the tournament’s already charged atmosphere.

The BCCI confirmed that it plans to raise concerns about Naqvi’s conduct with the ICC during the upcoming November 2025 meeting. Meanwhile, India dominated the Asia Cup, defeating Pakistan in all three encounters. The final turned out to be the most competitive clash, but Suryakumar Yadav’s team showcased remarkable consistency and control, firmly establishing themselves as the superior side throughout the tournament.