Mohsin Naqvi says India is still ’welcome’ to receive Asia Cup from him
Mohsin Naqvi, the president of the Asian Cricket Council, confirmed on Wednesday that he was always willing to present the Asia Cup trophy to the Indian cricket team.
“As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now,” Mohsin Naqvi wrote on X.
“If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me.”
A day before the Asia Cup final, the ACC announced that Naqvi, who is Pakistan’s Interior Minister and the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, would present the trophy to the winner.
The situation intensified last Sunday after India beat Pakistan in the final. The Indian players then refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi.
Indian players had already declined handshakes with their Pakistan counterparts for three consecutive matches.
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On Wednesday, Indian media widely reported that Naqvi apologised to ACC members the day before at the group’s annual general meeting in Dubai for a delay in the presentation ceremony. Naqvi though denied this in his statement.
“Indian media thrives on lies, not facts,” he said on X. “Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologized to the BCCI nor will I ever do so.
“This fabricated nonsense is nothing but cheap propaganda, aimed only at misleading their own people. Unfortunately, India continues to drag politics into cricket, damaging the very spirit of the game.”
Published on Oct 01, 2025
