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The man who stole the trophy: How Mohsin Naqvi hijacked Asia Cup final with his anti-India mindset

For India, the refusal to accept the trophy became a reaffirmation of dignity. For Pakistan, Naqvi’s intolerant posture further exposed how politics continues to poison one of the world’s greatest rivalries.

September 29, 2025 / 21:11 IST
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File Image - Pakistan's Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi (C) speaks with the team members during a practice session at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on February 22, 2025, a day ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy one-day international (ODI) cricket match against India. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)

Mohsin Naqvi, the dual hatted Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief, turned the Asia Cup 2025 final into a political spectacle. Rather than preside over a crowning moment in sport, he masterminded one of the most disgraceful episodes in cricket history.

Indian players refused to accept the trophy and medals from him, and Naqvi abruptly walked off with the silverware, denying the champions their moment. His prior provocations and entrenched anti-India posture made that refusal inevitable. In doing so, Naqvi did not merely offend protocol. He weaponised sportsmanship for propaganda, dragging the game into a toxic clash of nationalism and vendetta.

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The roots of Naqvi’s anti-India mindset

Naqvi’s controversial behaviour is not new. He has long leveraged cricket for political posturing. He has no professional cricketing background, and his rise to control both the PCB and ACC was met with scepticism. Before the Asia Cup, he made public statements that directly challenged India’s narrative.