Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has invited the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to attend a trophy handover ceremony in Dubai on November 10, in an attempt to resolve the standoff that followed India’s Asia Cup victory last month.
There was a series of letters exchanged with the BCCI. The ACC has informed them that we’re ready to host Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav, his team, and BCCI official Rajiv Shukla in Dubai for the trophy presentation.
A Trophy Left Unclaimed
The controversy began after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final on September 28, but refused to receive the trophy from Naqvi. The ACC chief had insisted on personally presenting it, leading to an awkward hour-long stalemate at the venue.
In a tense moment, Naqvi eventually ordered the trophy to be removed from the stadium, while Suryakumar Yadav mocked the situation by pretending to receive an “imaginary trophy” and sharing it with teammates. The Indian side later departed without the actual trophy.
Politics Overshadows Cricket Glory
Sources close to both boards said India’s refusal was rooted in political tensions between the two countries, following a brief military confrontation earlier this year.
Indian media reports also suggested that the BCCI was considering raising the issue during the upcoming ICC and ACC board meetings in Dubai (November 4–7).
The ACC has officially written to the BCCI, inviting them to hold the ceremony in Dubai on November 10. Bring your captain, bring your players — and take the trophy from me.
Tense Atmosphere During the Asia Cup
The Asia Cup itself was marred by strained relations on the field. India beat Pakistan in all three encounters, but the matches were overshadowed by visible frostiness — including India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players.
Suryakumar Yadav further fueled controversy when he dedicated India’s first win to the martyrs of the Sindoor Operation, earning a 30% match fee fine from the ICC for breaching the code against political statements. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf faced a similar 30% fine for displaying political slogans in the second match on September 21, also in Dubai. Meanwhile, opener Sahibzada Farhan escaped sanction despite his gun-firing bat celebration after reaching a half-century in the same game.
Looking Ahead: Will India Accept the Invitation?
As the ICC meetings approach, all eyes will be on the BCCI’s response. The November 10 ceremony could either mark a symbolic thaw in Indo-Pak cricket relations — or highlight just how deeply politics continues to divide the sport’s fiercest rivals.
