Weeks after the India vs Pakistan final in Dubai on September 28, the drama around the Asia Cup trophy is still taking fresh turns.
The Asia Cup trophy has reportedly been moved from the Asian Cricket Council’s headquarters in Dubai to another place in Abu Dhabi.
Amid cross-border tensions between the two countries, India refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, following their five-wicket victory in the final. This marked the beginning of the Asia Cup trophy standoff.
Chaos broke out shortly after the renowned triumph, and the post-match presentation was postponed by ninety minutes. An official took the Asia Cup trophy off the elevated dais and carried it off the ground without providing an explanation in response to India’s decision.
The whole tale has now taken a different turn as India waits to get their hands on the Asia Cup trophy.
When a BCCI official inquired about the trophy during a visit to the ACC headquarters in Dubai last week, the staff told him that it had been transported to another place in Abu Dhabi.
“A BCCI official visited ACC headquarters a few days back. When he inquired about the trophy in the ACC office, the staff told him that it has been removed from here and is in the custody of Moshin Naqvi in some place in Abu Dhabi,” the sources said.
Naqvi had set the condition for its return earlier this month, stating that India must come to the ACC office to pick it up from him if they “truly” desired it.
According to Geo News, Naqvi has also suggested holding a ceremony to present India the Asia Cup 2025 trophy.
The PCB chief’s response came after the BCCI sent him an official letter instructing him to give the trophy to India. In response, a furious Naqvi stuck to his guns and requested that the BCCI send an Indian player to pick up the trophy from him at a ceremony.
According to a number of reports following last month’s ACC conference, Naqvi expressed regret to the BCCI for the pandemonium that followed the final. A day later, though, Naqvi flatly disputed the rumors.
Additionally, according to the reports, there was no official decision taken at the ACC conference about giving the trophy to India.
