📰 Cheap Propaganda? Mohsin Naqvi Blasts Indian Media Over Asia Cup 2025 Trophy Chaos
📌 Politics Overshadowing Cricket Again
The Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai was meant to be a celebration of cricketing excellence. Instead, it turned into a political storm as the Indian cricket team refused to accept the winners’ medals and trophy following their triumph over Pakistan. The controversy escalated when reports from Indian media claimed that PCB Chairman & ACC President Mohsin Naqvi had later apologised to the BCCI in a closed-door Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting.
Naqvi, however, hit back strongly, calling the claims “cheap propaganda” designed to mislead the Indian public. His fiery statement has reignited the ongoing debate about the politicization of cricket in South Asia.
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into:
- 🏆 What actually happened at the Asia Cup 2025 trophy ceremony
- 🗞️ Indian media’s claims vs Naqvi’s rebuttal
- ⚡ The power politics between PCB and BCCI inside the ACC
- 🌍 How this controversy affects Asian cricket unity
- 🧠 Cricketory Insights & Analysis on what comes next
🏆 Asia Cup 2025 Final – A Trophy Lost in Controversy
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium was packed on September 28, 2025, as India defeated Pakistan to lift the Asia Cup Men’s T20 title. However, instead of jubilation, the night ended in chaos.
- The Indian team declined to receive the trophy and medals from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi.
- The presentation ceremony was halted for over an hour, with players waiting inside the dressing rooms.
- Eventually, the trophy and medals were removed from the ground without a formal handover.
Commentator Simon Doull even told the broadcast audience:
“I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. That does conclude the post-match presentation.”
This bizarre incident became one of the most controversial moments in Asia Cup history.
🗞️ Indian Media’s Narrative – The “Apology” Claim
In the days following the final, several Indian outlets claimed:
- Naqvi had expressed regret in an ACC meeting in Dubai.
- He allegedly admitted the situation “should not have escalated.”
- Reports suggested he offered an unofficial apology to the BCCI to smooth tensions.
Such stories quickly spread across digital platforms, feeding into a larger narrative that Pakistan’s cricket administration had been forced into submission by India’s boardroom dominance.
⚡ Mohsin Naqvi’s Rebuttal – “Cheap Propaganda”
Mohsin Naqvi took to X (formerly Twitter) to issue a sharp denial:
“Indian media thrives on lies, not facts. Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologised to the BCCI nor will I ever do so.”
He further added:
“This fabricated nonsense is nothing but cheap propaganda, aimed only at misleading their own people. Unfortunately, India continues to drag politics into cricket, damaging the very spirit of the game.”
Naqvi emphasized that as ACC Chairman, he was ready to hand over the trophy that same night — and still is:
“If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me.”
His blunt response directly challenged India’s cricketing establishment and media ecosystem.
🏛️ Inside the ACC Meeting – What Really Happened?
Sources close to the ACC meeting in Dubai revealed some critical details:
- Rajiv Shukla (BCCI Vice-President) requested that the trophy be handed over to India retroactively.
- Naqvi reportedly said: “This item is not on the ACC meeting agenda.”
- He also clarified: “If the Indian team wants the trophy, the captain can come to the ACC office and collect it from me.”
No formal resolution was passed, leaving the matter in limbo.
🔍 Cricket Politics – BCCI vs PCB in Asian Cricket
The incident reflects the deeper power struggle between India and Pakistan in cricket:
- BCCI’s Dominance: With the largest financial clout, India often pushes decisions that favor its interests in ICC and ACC meetings.
- PCB’s Resistance: Pakistan, under Naqvi, is attempting to resist what it sees as unilateral dominance.
- Impact on Asia Cup: The Asia Cup has long been a flashpoint for India-Pakistan tensions, and this episode only adds to its fragile legacy.
🌍 Impact on Asian Cricket Unity
This controversy is not just about one match — it affects the future of Asian cricket governance.
- 🤝 ACC Credibility at Stake: The trophy fiasco damaged the ACC’s reputation as a neutral body.
- ⚔️ India vs Pakistan Divide: Instead of fostering unity, the Asia Cup again highlighted hostility.
- 📉 Fans’ Disappointment: Millions of fans expected celebrations but were left with political drama.
- 🏏 Players Caught in Politics: Cricketers who performed brilliantly saw their efforts overshadowed by off-field controversy.
🧠 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
- Image Battle: Naqvi’s firm stance boosts his reputation at home but may complicate relations with BCCI ahead of ICC events.
- Indian Media Spin: By pushing the “apology” narrative, Indian outlets aimed to portray dominance — a tactic often used before high-profile tournaments.
- Asia Cup’s Future: The trophy incident raises questions about whether the Asia Cup can survive as a credible event without neutral hosting.
- World Cup Build-Up: With the T20 World Cup 2026 looming, such controversies risk spilling into ICC politics and impacting tournament preparations.
- Fan Frustration: Cricket lovers across Asia want the sport to shine, but administrative disputes continue to drag cricket into unnecessary conflict.