The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially intensified its standoff with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) over the custody of the 2025 T20 Asia Cup trophy. In a formal communication addressed to ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the BCCI has demanded that the trophy be immediately returned to India, which triumphed over Pakistan in the final on September 28.

India’s dominant run in the tournament — beating Pakistan three times, including the summit clash — was overshadowed by diplomatic friction and political tension between the two neighbouring nations. The Asia Cup, played in the UAE, came just months after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which significantly strained Indo-Pak relations.

Following the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, a counter-terrorism initiative targeting extremists in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). The political atmosphere soon spilt into the cricket field, where tempers flared, verbal spats broke out, and both boards lodged formal protests during the tournament.

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According to multiple reports, the ACC — led by its Pakistani president Mohsin Naqvi — has refused to release the trophy to the BCCI unless it is collected during a formal ceremony, presided over by Naqvi himself. The BCCI, however, is unwilling to allow Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, to play any ceremonial role.

As a result, the matter is now poised to escalate to the International Cricket Council (ICC), with a crucial board meeting scheduled in Dubai in the first week of November. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia voiced his disapproval, calling the situation “unsporting and unfortunate.”

He stated, “We had decided not to take the trophy from the ACC chairman, who also happens to be a senior Pakistani leader. But that does not mean the ACC can withhold the trophy and medals from the rightful winners.” Saikia further confirmed that India would lodge an official complaint with the ICC, demanding immediate resolution.

The controversy also led to a heated exchange during the ACC’s post-tournament meeting on September 30, where Indian officials Ashish Shelar and Rajeev Shukla confronted Naqvi directly. Despite India receiving support from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, no resolution was reached, with Naqvi continuing to hold firm.

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Adding to the tension, Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after the final and declined to accept the trophy from Naqvi. Pakistan, in turn, accused match referee Andy Pycroft of bias and even threatened to boycott their Group A fixture against the UAE. Despite the off-field chaos, India maintained focus and clinched the Asia Cup title, defeating Pakistan in a thrilling finale that reaffirmed their regional dominance.