India won the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan to claim their 9th title, but the post-match scenes overshadowed the victory. The champions never received the trophy, turning a proud moment into one of cricket’s strangest controversies.
BCCI questions ACC over missing trophy
At the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Dubai, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla and former treasurer Ashish Shelar demanded answers. Shukla asked chairman Mohsin Naqvi why the trophy was withheld, reminding him that it belonged to the winning team, not individuals.
Naqvi refuses to hand over the prize
Even after repeated requests, Naqvi refused to send the trophy and medals to the ACC office. Officials described his behaviour as dismissive, saying he was “beating around the bush” instead of addressing the problem directly.
Naqvi’s controversial defence
Naqvi defended himself by claiming he felt humiliated during the presentation. He told members he had been left “standing on stage like a cartoon.” Instead of support, his remarks triggered ridicule and mockery both inside and outside the cricket world.
Fans troll Naqvi online
Fans seized on the “cartoon” remark and turned it into a meme. The hashtag #trophychor began trending, with many accusing Naqvi of “stealing” the trophy. Posts joked that India was turned into “Cartoon Network” because of the bizarre explanation.
BCCI prepares formal protest
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the board will lodge a strong protest at the next ICC meeting. Officials are treating the issue as a matter of respect and governance, not just an embarrassing presentation error.
Asia Cup dispute escalates
The controversy has now grown larger than a missed presentation. It has exposed rifts within the ACC and strained ties between boards. Another meeting is expected soon, and if the stalemate continues, the matter will go before the ICC.
A hollow victory for India
For now, Team India remains without the trophy despite a historic win. The bizarre episode has left players and fans disappointed, adding an unwanted twist to what should have been a celebration of cricketing glory.
