Harbhajan Gives Reality Check After Asia Cup Trophy Controversy: 'Don't Think Naqvi Or Anyone Else Is Big Enough To...'

India won the Asia Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai, but the trophy remains with ACC amid controversy involving Mohsin Naqvi.

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will surely get the Asia Cup trophy despite Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi’s tactics after the final.

The final, held in Dubai on September 28, saw India defeat Pakistan by five wickets, chasing down a modest target of 147 to win their ninth Asia Cup title. However, celebrations were marred by unprecedented chaos when the post-match presentation ceremony was delayed by over 90 minutes. Reports suggested that the delay was due to India’s refusal to receive the trophy directly from Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and has been openly critical of India in political forums. The confusion grew when officials abruptly removed the trophy from the stage without any explanation, leaving players and fans bewildered.

“A lot happened during the Asia Cup. About the handshake saga — before that, the bigger question was whether the matches should have happened at all," Harbhajan was quoted as saying to IANS.

“India won the tournament, and that is their biggest trophy. I don’t think Naqvi or anyone else is big enough to decide whether the trophy should be awarded or not. If not today, then tomorrow the trophy will be given, so what’s the point of keeping it aside? We have won it, and the trophy will come to us one day or another," he added.

Will India Get The Asia Cup Trophy?

As per reports, Mohsin Naqvi apologised for the post-match trophy presentation debacle, something that he has denied, according to Pakistani media. In a defiant statement, Naqvi dismissed the claims as “fabricated propaganda" by the Indian media and made a surprising declaration — that if India truly wanted the trophy, they could “come to the ACC office and collect it."

During the subsequent ACC Annual General Meeting in Dubai, BCCI representatives Rajeev Shukla and Ashish Shelar lodged a strong objection over the issue, asserting that the trophy belonged to the ACC and not an individual. According to reports, Naqvi refused to resolve the matter immediately, suggesting it should be discussed later. Despite pressure from the BCCI, he remained evasive and declined to confirm when the trophy would be handed over. Sources present at the meeting said Naqvi did not initially congratulate India on their victory — only doing so after being pressed by Shelar.

Meanwhile, India’s players have since celebrated their victory privately. Captain Suryakumar Yadav, echoing Rohit Sharma’s iconic walk after the 2024 T20 World Cup, led the team in a symbolic celebration in the dressing room. However, the Asia Cup trophy remains in the ACC’s Dubai office, with no clarity on when it will be formally presented to India.

The BCCI is expected to escalate the matter to the ICC during its November meeting.

Click here to read article