Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers has questioned Team India’s decision of not receiving the Asia Cup winners’ medals and trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi after winning the Asia Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai on 28 September.
In a rare occurrence, the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team celebrated their Asia Cup victory without the trophy.
During the delayed presentation ceremony, Naqvi stood on the dais, but the Indian team did not appear to collect the trophy, prompting the ACC President to take it away. The Indian team had informed the tournament authorities that they won’t collect the trophy from Naqvi, who is also PCB chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister.
Much has been discussed regarding the Asia Cup trophy controversy. Sharing his opinion on the matter, the former Proteas skipper said that politics should be kept out of sport.
“Team India sort of weren’t happy with who was handing out the trophy. I don’t feel that belongs in sport. Politics should stay aside,” De Villiers said on his YouTube channel. “Sport is one thing, and it should be celebrated for what it is. Quite sad to see that, but hopefully they will sort things out in the future. It does put the sport, the players, the sportsmen, the cricketers in a very tough position, and that’s what I hate to see. It was quite awkward there at the end.”
In an ACC meeting held in Dubai, the BCCI strongly condemned Naqvi’s actions and demanded the winners’ medals and trophy. Naqvi, on the other hand, stated that the Asia Cup 2025 winners will have to collect the trophy from him.
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