🏆 Rajiv Shukla’s Trophy Request Denied by Mohsin Naqvi | Asia Cup 2025 Trophy Controversy Explained
📌 Drama Beyond the Asia Cup 2025 Final
The Asia Cup 2025 was expected to end with fireworks on the field, but instead, it spilled into a political and administrative drama off the pitch. According to sources, Rajiv Shukla, Vice-President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), requested the Asia Cup 2025 trophy directly from ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during an official meeting in Dubai.
The unusual request was flatly denied, with Naqvi responding firmly:
“If the Indian team wants the trophy, the captain can come to the ACC office and collect it from me.”
This led to an unprecedented scenario: the Indian team, despite beating Pakistan in the final, left Dubai without collecting the trophy.
At Cricketory, we dive deep into the incident, analyzing what it means for the ACC, PCB, BCCI, and the future of India-Pakistan cricketing relations.
🏟️ Asia Cup 2025 Final – A Quick Recap
Before the controversy overshadowed the post-match ceremony, the final itself was a thrilling contest:
- Pakistan batted first, scoring 146 runs in 19.1 overs.
- Sahibzada Farhan’s half-century gave them early momentum.
- A brilliant spell by Kuldeep Yadav triggered a collapse – Pakistan lost 8 wickets for just 33 runs.
- India chased down the target with five wickets to spare, powered by Abhishek Sharma and supported by the lower middle order.
🏅 Individual Awards
- Kuldeep Yadav – Highest wicket-taker of the tournament.
- Abhishek Sharma – Player of the Tournament (314 runs, avg. 44.85).
- Tilak Varma & Shivam Dube – Recognized for valuable contributions.
- Salman Ali Agha – Collected Pakistan’s runners-up prize money.
But when it came time to lift the Asia Cup trophy, the cricketing world witnessed something extraordinary – India refused to accept it.
🤔 What Really Happened at the ACC Meeting?
The drama unfolded not during the match, but at an ACC meeting in Dubai chaired by Mohsin Naqvi.
🔎 Sequence of Events:
- Rajiv Shukla reportedly requested the trophy directly from Naqvi.
- Naqvi responded that such a request was “not part of the agenda”.
- Shukla insisted, but Naqvi stood firm.
- Naqvi clarified: “If the Indian team wants the trophy, the captain can come to the ACC office and collect it.”
- No official decision was taken regarding the handover.
This left fans puzzled: Why would the Indian team not collect the trophy immediately after winning?
⚡ Trophy Controversy – Why Did India Refuse to Collect It?
Several possible reasons are being debated:
- Protocol Dispute – Reports suggest the Indian team management was unhappy about receiving the trophy from PCB Chairman Naqvi.
- Symbolic Protest – Some speculate it was a silent protest by the BCCI over ACC’s organizational decisions.
- Miscommunication – Others believe logistical delays caused the issue, with neither side willing to compromise.
The one-hour delay in the closing ceremony only added fuel to the fire. Presenter Simon Doull later confirmed on live TV:
“I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight.”
📊 India vs Pakistan Rivalry – Beyond Cricket
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is already one of the most politically charged in sports. This controversy adds another chapter to the story:
- The Asia Cup is governed by the ACC, currently chaired by Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi.
- The BCCI is the most influential cricket board globally, often at odds with PCB over scheduling and hosting rights.
- Trophy controversies may seem minor, but they reflect larger tensions between boards.
At a time when fans hoped for cricket to take center stage, administrative tussles stole the spotlight.
🌍 Media & Fan Reactions
The cricketing community erupted on social media after the news broke:
- Many Indian fans criticized the ACC, calling it “unprofessional.”
- Pakistani fans accused the Indian team of showing “arrogance” by not attending the presentation.
- Neutral fans expressed disappointment that such issues overshadowed a thrilling final.
Hashtags like #AsiaCup2025Final, #TrophyDrama, and #IndvsPak trended globally within hours.
📝 Cricketory Insights – What This Means for Cricket Governance
At Cricketory, we believe this controversy highlights three critical issues:
- Sportsmanship vs Politics – Cricket should be about players and fans, not power struggles between boards.
- ACC’s Image at Stake – As the governing body for Asia, the ACC must ensure smooth presentations and avoid embarrassing situations.
- Future Bilateral Ties – With the 2026 Champions Trophy scheduled in Pakistan, the incident raises questions about how India and Pakistan will handle protocol-sensitive events.
📅 What Happens Next?
The Asia Cup 2025 may be over, but the trophy drama is far from settled. Possible next steps include:
- Formal Clarification – The ACC may release a statement explaining the situation.
- Diplomatic Silence – Both boards may choose to move on quietly to avoid further headlines.
- Fan Backlash – If left unresolved, fans will continue questioning the credibility of the tournament.
🏏 Key Takeaways
- Rajiv Shukla trophy request Asia Cup 2025
- Mohsin Naqvi denies BCCI request
- Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy
- India refused to collect Asia Cup trophy
- ACC meeting Dubai 2025
- PCB vs BCCI Asia Cup drama
- Asia Cup final India vs Pakistan 2025
- Cricket politics Asia Cup trophy issue
❓ FAQs – Asia Cup 2025 Trophy Controversy
Q1: Why did Rajiv Shukla request the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi?
A: Sources suggest Rajiv Shukla wanted the trophy handed over directly at the ACC meeting, which Naqvi refused, calling it “off-agenda.”Q2: Did the Indian cricket team collect the Asia Cup 2025 trophy?
A: No. The team did not collect the trophy on the night of the final, leaving the post-match presentation incomplete.Q3: What did Mohsin Naqvi say about the request?
A: Naqvi stated: “If the Indian team wants the trophy, the captain can come to the ACC office and collect it.”Q4: Who won the Asia Cup 2025 final?
A: India defeated Pakistan by five wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.Q5: How did fans react to the trophy drama?
A: Reactions were mixed – Indian fans blamed ACC mismanagement, while Pakistani fans accused India of disrespecting the event.🏁 Final Thoughts – A Trophy Overshadowed by Politics
The Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered not just for India’s thrilling win over Pakistan, but also for the unprecedented trophy controversy. Instead of players lifting silverware, fans saw administrators argue over protocol.
For cricket lovers, the hope is clear: let cricket speak louder than politics. As the countdown to the T20 World Cup 2026 begins, the ACC, PCB, and BCCI must ensure that the spirit of the game takes precedence over boardroom battles.
At Cricketory, our conclusion is simple:
🏏 India may have won the final, but cricket itself lost something far bigger on that night in Dubai.