The Asia Cup 2025 concluded with a massive controversy last month as Team India refused to receive their winners' trophy and medallions from ACC and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and posted anti-India sentiments on social media throughout the tournament.

Furious with India’s stance, Naqvi took the silverware and medals in his custody. After BCCI’s protest, the PCB boss said that if India wants the trophy and medals, skipper Suryakumar Yadav can collect them from his ACC office in Dubai.

While the Indian board has denied this condition, it recently sent an official email to Naqvi demanding the trophy be handed over to India.

Speaking to India Today, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said that they are awaiting a response and, if none is received, will take up the matter with the ICC. “We are proceeding step by step and will continue to pursue this matter,” Saikia said.

Meanwhile, Naqvi has reportedly sent a detailed response to the BCCI, acknowledging India’s feat while also highlighting the ACC’s neutral stance on political matters.

"Receipt of your letter dated September 30, 2025, is acknowledged. The letter was received just prior to the commencement of the ACC Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was scheduled for 3:00 PM (UAE time) on September 30, 2025. The BCCI was represented online at the AGM by Mr. Rajeev Shukla and Ashish Shelar. This matter was discussed in detail during the AGM; however, since you have circulated this letter to ACC members, it is only appropriate to set the record straight.

"At the very outset, we must congratulate you and the Indian Cricket Team on winning the Asia Cup 2025, as the ACC President did earlier in the AGM. The ACC President is extremely appreciative and notes with pleasure the emphasis you have placed in your letter on longstanding customs, traditions, established practices, cricketing protocols, and fundamental elements of sport integrity. We wish with all our heart that such expressions were not merely limited to vocabulary used in a letter but also displayed vehemently on the field of play," the letter read, as quoted by India Today.

The ACC President also criticized what it called the politicization of cricket. "As regards the remainder of your letter, slanderous as it may be and digressing from the same values you highlighted, the office of the ACC President will not indulge in petty politics aimed at pacifying select extremist groups. There was never any official communication shared with the ACC office or the Tournament Director highlighting any position or concern of the BCCI with respect to prize distribution. It was only when the ceremony was about to take place and distinguished guests had taken their place on the stage that the BCCI’s representative conveyed that the Indian Cricket Team would not be receiving the Asia Cup Trophy and awards."

The letter further emphasised the ACC’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the ceremony.

"The ACC President waited along with distinguished guests for approximately 40 minutes to ensure that the integrity of the presentation ceremony was preserved and not adversely affected by politics, but in vain. The ACC trophy rightly belongs to the Indian Cricket Team and is being held in trust till such time that a BCCI office holder, along with any available participating player, can collect it from the ACC President. Such collection would, of course, be accompanied with much fanfare and coverage, ensuring no deviation from established practices and no precedent is set which undermines the spirit of the game we all love."

Naqvi also mentioned that multiple follow-ups had taken place with BCCI representatives since the AGM last month, where the trophy issue was brought up. However, the deadlock continues, and the silverware remains at the ACC headquarters.

(With India Today Inputs)