Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori lauds PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi for ‘stealing’ the Asia Cup trophy, while shockingly terming the victorious Indian cricketers as ‘terrorists’ in a viral video.
October 24, 2025: The political fallout from the Asia Cup 2025 final has intensified, shifting focus from India’s decisive victory to a diplomatic deadlock over the championship trophy. In a controversial move that has drawn praise from Pakistani officials, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) head, Mohsin Naqvi, has refused to hand over the winner’s trophy to the Indian team.
Governor Tessori Lauds Naqvi’s ‘Stunt’
The controversy reached a new low with Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori publicly lauding Naqvi’s action and making inflammatory remarks. In a viral video, Tessori is heard praising the PCB chief—who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister—for walking away with the trophy after the Indian team refused to receive it from him.
Tessori controversially branded the Indian cricketers as “terrorists” and asserted that Naqvi, by taking the trophy, had forced “the whole of India” to chase after the silverware. “He then handled the team like terrorists… He (Naqvi) put the trophy in the car and took it away with him,” Tessori said, with Naqvi reportedly smirking alongside him during the address. This statement has been widely condemned for bringing extreme political rhetoric into a sporting context.
The Trophy Standoff
The unprecedented situation unfolded during the post-match presentation ceremony in Dubai. The Indian team management, citing Naqvi’s political anti-India stance and previous provocative remarks, had made a conscious decision not to accept the trophy or medals from him.
- Naqvi, despite being aware of India’s refusal, insisted on personally presenting the trophy.
- When the Indian players, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, did not come to the podium, Naqvi eventually left the venue with the Asia Cup trophy still in his possession.
- The victorious Indian squad later celebrated with an imaginary trophy—a gesture that went viral, mocking the denial.
Deadlock Between BCCI and ACC
Weeks after the incident, the trophy remains at the ACC headquarters in Dubai, effectively held by Naqvi.
Naqvi has maintained his firm stance, insisting the trophy will only be handed over to a member of the Indian team, ideally at a special ceremony with him in Dubai. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has the support of other member nations like Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, has rejected this condition, arguing the trophy should be returned immediately as per established protocol.
The BCCI has sent an official communication to the ACC demanding the immediate handover of the trophy and a written explanation for the controversial incident. With Naqvi refusing to budge, the BCCI is now planning to escalate the issue to the International Cricket Council (ICC) at its next meeting, highlighting the deepening rift between the two cricket boards.