Who Is Mohsin Naqvi? ACC Chief and Pakistan Minister at Center of Asia Cup Trophy Row

India’s Asia Cup Triumph Overshadowed by Trophy Standoff With Mohsin Naqvi.

India’s five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final on Sunday in Dubai was followed by unprecedented drama, as the champions refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The presentation ceremony descended into chaos when captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team declined to take the silverware from Naqvi, who is also the chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s interior minister. Despite India’s insistence that the trophy be handed over by another dignitary, Naqvi refused to step aside.

Trophy Drama on Stage

For more than an hour after the match, Naqvi stood firm on the podium alongside other officials while the Indian players remained off stage and the Pakistani side waited in the dressing room. Reports suggest the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) fully backed the team’s stance, arguing that they would not “legitimise” the Pakistan minister by receiving the trophy from him.

When no compromise was reached, the ceremony proceeded without the traditional handover. Three Indian players — Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Kuldeep Yadav — collected their individual awards from other dignitaries, while the Pakistan team accepted their runners-up medals. Naqvi eventually walked away with the trophy, leaving India to celebrate their title win without the silverware.

Who Is Mohsin Naqvi?

Naqvi, a prominent political figure in Pakistan, currently holds three positions:

Chairman, Asian Cricket Council (ACC)

Chief, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)

Interior Minister of Pakistan

Known for his outspoken anti-India stance, Naqvi’s dual political and cricketing roles have drawn criticism in India, especially after the Dubai standoff.

BCCI’s Protest

Reacting strongly, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board would lodge a “very strong protest” at the ICC’s next meeting in November. He justified the players’ refusal, arguing that India could not accept a trophy from someone “waging a war against the country.”

India’s On-Field Win

Earlier, the final had lived up to its billing, going into the last over. Tilak Varma anchored India’s chase with an unbeaten half-century, while Kuldeep Yadav’s four wickets restricted Pakistan to a manageable total. The victory was India’s third over Pakistan in the tournament, sealing their Asia Cup crown.