The picture is rather straightforward: In Doha, Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), beamingly smiled while presenting Pakistan A with the Rising Asia Cup trophy. However, the video of the moment, which has gone viral on social media, has served a new reminder of the missing Asia Cup trophy missing from the Indian cabinet.
The video features Naqvi on stage posing with the Pakistan A following their thrilling Super Over victory over Bangladesh A in the final.
India had earlier defeated Pakistan in the men's Asia Cup final played in Dubai this September. India then chased down 147 with two balls to spare to win the match by five wickets. But in a rare incident the trophy was not handed over to the winnings team that evening.
The continental showdown in the senior men's competition showcased the heightened political tension between the two nations. It began with India taking a hard stance and snubbing customary handshakes with Pakistan players throughout the competition. The Indian players also declined to take the cup from Naqvi, who is also the head of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the country's interior minister, amidst all the other controversies witnessed during the course of the tournament.
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Naqvi refused to hand over the trophy despite India's request that an Emirates Cricket Board official do the honors. Instead the cameras captured the silverware being removed the venue after the presentation was delayed by almost an hour.
As per reports, the trophy is still locked at the ACC office in Dubai on Naqvi's orders despite stern warnings by BCCI on the issue.
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