Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has reiterated that India will have to come to Dubai to collect the T20 Asia Cup 2025 trophy, saying there will be no deviation from the existing protocol on handing over the silverware.
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Naqvi’s remarks come amid continuing tensions between the two cricket boards following a series of on-field snubs and diplomatic strains between the two countries.
“There is a status quo on trophy handing. If India wants the trophy, they must send their captain to Dubai and receive it from me,” Naqvi told Telecom Asia Sport.
Trophy remains with ACC after presentation row
The Asia Cup trophy has remained at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters in Dubai after India captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to receive it from Naqvi following India’s win over Pakistan in the final earlier this year. Naqvi, who also serves as ACC president, said he was well within his rights to present the trophy.
The issue added to a broader pattern of strained sporting interactions, including the refusal of Indian players to shake hands with Pakistani counterparts during multiple tournaments. The incident at the Asia Cup toss, where Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Agha, set the tone for subsequent matches.
The same approach was later seen at the Women’s World Cup in Sri Lanka, the Rising Star Asia Cup in Doha, and the ongoing Under-19 Asia Cup in Dubai.
PCB to approach ICC over conduct, warns of ‘equal terms’
Naqvi said Pakistan would formally raise concerns with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the conduct of Indian players during the Junior Asia Cup final.
“We will be writing a letter to the ICC to complain about the behaviour of Indian Junior players during the final of the Junior Asia Cup which was not acceptable.”
He also warned that Pakistan would not make any concessions if the Indian team continues to avoid customary post-match gestures.
“If India does not allow their players to shake hands with our players then it will be dealt with on equal terms and there will be no compromise,” Naqvi said in response to a question from Telecom Asia Sport. “We have no interest in shaking hands with them.”
Pakistan team mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed had earlier described the behaviour of Indian junior players as “Uneducated and unacceptable” following the Under-19 Asia Cup final, which Pakistan won by a commanding 191-run margin.
The diplomatic strain between the two cricketing rivals has been heightened since a four-day military confrontation in May, triggered by a militant attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge Islamabad denied.
Separately, Naqvi also announced key developments related to the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
“We have appointed Wasim Akram as the brand ambassador of the PSL and that we will handle the Multan Sultans franchise on our own the next year before a new owner is found,” said Naqvi.
The Multan Sultans franchise is currently without a private owner after Ali Tareen exited following a dispute with the PCB.