Mohsin Naqvi relocates Asia Cup trophy to unknown location in Abu Dhabi: Report

Mohsin Naqvi relocates Asia Cup trophy to unknown location in Abu Dhabi (Photo X)

In a fresh twist to the Asia Cup trophy controversy, report has emerged of it being shifted to an unknown location in Abu Dhabi from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters in Dubai. The development reported by news agency ANI comes three weeks after India defeated Pakistan in the finals of the continental showdown but refused to collect the silverware from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the head of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the country's interior minister. The impasse is due to cross-border tensions between the two nations, which overshadowed cricket at the marquee event.

As India awaits the trophy's return, the entire story has now taken a new turn. A BCCI official visited the ACC headquarters last week and asked about the silverware. The staff informed the official that the trophy was moved to a different location in Abu Dhabi.

"A BCCI official visited ACC headquarters a few days back. When he inquired about the trophy in the ACC office, the staff told him that it has been removed from here and is in the custody of Moshin Naqvi in some place in Abu Dhabi," the report cited sources as saying.

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Soon after the famed success, pandemonium ensued, with the post-match presentation getting delayed by over an hour. In response to India's decision, the Asia Cup trophy was removed from its place on a raised dais and carried off the ground without explanation.

At the beginning of this month, Naqvi had set the condition for its return saying that if India "truly" wanted it, they could come to the ACC office to collect it from him. Recently, Naqvi proposed hosting a ceremony to present the Asia Cup 2025 trophy to India, according to Geo News.

Naqvi's reaction followed the BCCI's formal letter to him, in which the board told him to hand over the trophy to India. In his reply, a defiant Naqvi remained firm on his stance and asked the BCCI to send an Indian player to attend a ceremony and collect the trophy from him.

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An ACC meeting took place at the end of September. After the meeting concluded, various reports claimed that Naqvi had apologised to the BCCI for the chaos that unfolded after the final. However, a day later, Naqvi categorically denied the reports. The reports also stated that no formal decision was made during the ACC meeting regarding the handing over of the trophy to India.

-with ANI inputs