Mohsin Naqvi stirs controversy after PM Modi’s Asia Cup post: 'History records your humiliating defeats...'

Mohsin Naqvi stirs controversy after PM Modi’s Asia Cup post (AFP/Reuters Photo)

Champions India should have celebrated after their stunning five-wicket victory against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday. Instead, Pakistan minister and president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Mohsin Naqvi, prevented India from receiving their trophy and winners' medals, causing the post-match formalities to devolve into pandemonium.

The dispute started when India declined to take the award from Naqvi, claiming that he was representing Pakistan. In an effort to compromise, it was suggested that Khalid Al Zarooni, the vice-chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, deliver the awards instead, but Naqvi opposed the proposal.

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The trophy was discreetly removed by the organizers after a nearly hour-long standoff during which individual performers, notably Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma of India, were feted.

As Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha reached the stage, fans in the stadium booed him and sang "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" expressing their displeasure. Naqvi was left stranded and clearly embarrassed when the Pakistani squad stayed in their dressing room long after the game was over.

Naqvi added fuel to fire by making a startling statement on X in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's congratulations on India's victory: "If war was your measure of pride, history already records your humiliating defeats at Pakistan's hands. No cricket match can rewrite that truth. Dragging war into sport only exposes desperation and disgraces the very spirit of the game."

Mohsin Naqvi stirs controversy after PM Modi’s Asia Cup post

Cricket experts and fans denounced Naqvi for demeaning the champions and politicising the game. The incident happened after India's squad had previously shown their discontent by skipping the traditional pre-toss photo shoot and avoiding handshakes with Pakistan players throughout the competition.

Off the field, Naqvi persisted in trying to inflame emotions as PCB lodged a complaint against Suryakumar Yadav for supporting the Indian Army following the Pahalgam terror attack.