ICC Official Hits Out at Mohsin Naqvi Over Asia Cup 2025 Trophy Controversy: “I Don’t Even Know…”
Chaudhary criticizes Naqvi for taking the trophy and withholding it from India, calls his actions “bizarre” and unprecedented.
New Delhi, Oct 16: Former ICC umpire Anil Chaudhary has strongly criticized Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy, calling his behavior “bizarre” and unprecedented in his umpiring career.
More than two weeks after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, the Suryakumar Yadav-led team has yet to receive the trophy and winner’s medals. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, left the stadium with the awards after Indian players refused to accept the trophy directly from him. He later stated that the Indian team must personally collect the trophy from him if they want it.
Speaking on the Raunac Podcast, Chaudhary slammed Naqvi for his actions. “Anybody could have handed over the trophy. There were plenty of individuals representing the UAE authority as well. Nothing states that you have to collect the trophy from just one person… but woh Sajjan trophy leke chale gaye. There’s no rule that only one person has to hand over the trophy,” Chaudhary said.
Chaudhary, 60, added, “I don’t even know who he is. I have never seen a trophy not be given. In local cricket, maybe, but I can’t recall anything like this in professional cricket.”
He also commented on the no-handshake drama between India and Pakistan, stating that there are no official guidelines. “The handshake culture has come up over the last 15-16 years. Earlier, captains used to shake hands, not all players. Today, players shake hands with almost 70 people. It’s just a gesture and up to you whether you want to or not,” Chaudhary explained.
Chaudhary, who now runs a YouTube channel post-retirement, said the Asia Cup trophy incident was unusual and reflected unnecessary complications introduced by one individual rather than any official protocol.
