Mohsin Naqvi to receive honor amid Asia Cup trophy row
What's the story
Mohsin Naqvi, President of the Asian Cricket Council and also the Pakistan Cricket Board chief, is set to be honored with the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Excellence Gold Medal, as reported by The President. The award recognizes his principled stance during the Asia Cup final trophy handover, where he retained the trophy after Indian players refused to accept it. Advocate Ghulam Abbas Jamal announced the decision on behalf of Sindh and Karachi Basketball Associations.
Award justification
Naqvi's actions 'restored national pride'
Jamal emphasized that Naqvi's actions had "restored national pride" amid heightened political and sporting tensions with India. The decision to honor Naqvi has been widely welcomed across Pakistan's political and sports circles. Organizers view the award as both a symbolic gesture of respect and a pointed message of national pride.
Ceremony details
Award ceremony date to be finalized after Bilawal confirms
A formal award ceremony is being planned in Karachi, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as the chief guest. The date will be finalized after Bhutto confirms his availability. A special committee has been formed to oversee the event, led by Sindh Basketball Association Chairman Khalid Jameel Shamsi and Director Sports, Commissioner Karachi Ghulam Muhammad Khan as secretary.
Controversy details
Trophy gate: India refused to accept Asia Cup trophy
During the post-match ceremony of the Asia Cup final, Indian players refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi—a move widely seen as a political snub. In response, Naqvi retained the trophy and later stated on social media that the Indian team was "welcome" to collect it from ACC headquarters if they truly wished to do so. "I did nothing wrong, and I did not—and will not—apologize to BCCI," Naqvi posted on X (formerly Twitter), after reports suggested Board of Control for Cricket in India had taken offense at his actions.
Match details
India refused to accept Asia Cup trophy
The Asia Cup final was marred by political tensions, with India enforcing a strict "no handshake" policy with Pakistani players. Despite winning the match, India chose not to accept the trophy from Naqvi, sparking a diplomatic stir. The BCCI has raised the issue at ACC's annual meeting and is expected to take it further to ICC during its next session in November.