Mohsin Naqvi, president of the Asian Cricket Council and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, dismissed reports in the Indian media claiming that he had apologised for the chaotic end to the 2025 Asia Cup final.
Taking to social media, Naqvi quoted a report from India Today, which claimed that he apologised to the BCCI following the trophy presentation fiasco in Dubai, where India did not collect their trophy. He, however, clarified that no apology had been issued. “Indian media thrives on lies, not facts. Let me make it absolutely clear: I have never apologised to the BCCI nor will I ever do so. This fabricated nonsense is nothing but cheap propaganda, aimed only at misleading their own people.”
What was the controversy?
A controversy erupted after India defeated Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup final between the two sides, only for the post-match celebrations to descend into confusion. The match had ended by 10.30 pm local time, but the presentation ceremony did not begin until close to midnight. Naqvi was seen on stage with other dignitaries for over half an hour, making phone calls and engaging with officials, before proceedings finally began.
An unprecedented stand-off ensued, with reports indicating the Indian team's refusal to accept the trophy if presented by Naqvi, who is also Pakistan's interior minister.
India apparently requested that another ACC official present the trophy, with Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni and Bangladesh’s Aminul Islam emerging as potential names. Naqvi, however, remained adamant that he would perform the role as ACC chief, which resulted in the trophy never being awarded to India on stage.
Four Indian players, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma, collected their individual honours, while Pakistan captain Salman Agha accepted the runners-up cheque from Naqvi. India skipper Suryakumar Yadav did not speak at the presentation, and none of his teammates acknowledged the ACC president. Broadcaster Simon Doull eventually announced that India would not be collecting their awards, abruptly bringing the ceremony to a close.
Naqvi reportedly left the venue with the trophy, leaving India to celebrate by pretending to lift the cup for photographs.
What has Naqvi tweeted?
Naqvi has insisted that he is willing to hand over the trophy to India only if they collected it from him:
“India continues to drag politics into cricket, damaging the very spirit of the game. As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day, and I am still ready now. If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me," he tweeted.
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