According to BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, the issue will be formally discussed at the ICC meeting scheduled for the first week of November in Dubai.

Saikia stated that the Indian board has consistently followed its government’s policy, emphasizing that the Asia Cup is a multinational tournament and not a bilateral series. He stressed that India took pride in defeating Pakistan on the field but could not accept receiving the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, whom he described as a “central leader of the Pakistan government.”

Following the final, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, leading to an unprecedented situation where the closing ceremony concluded without the presentation of the championship trophy. Instead, the Indian squad carried the trophy and medals with them. “We hope the trophy and medals will be officially handed over to us soon,” Saikia said, adding that the BCCI has already lodged a formal protest with the ACC.

The BCCI has also announced a cash reward of INR 210 million for the Indian team, celebrating their triumph over Pakistan in the tournament.

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Observers noted that India’s refusal to accept the trophy from Naqvi sparked widespread criticism for breaching the spirit of sportsmanship. Despite India’s resistance, Naqvi stood firm, declining to bow to pressure. He remained on stage to present prizes to the runner-up team, after which the ceremony concluded without a formal handover of the trophy.

The controversy has now deepened political and sporting tensions, with the upcoming ICC meeting expected to witness heated debate over the matter.