Asia Cup trophy controversy refuses to die down, and the latest voice to join the heated debate is former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf. The ex-batter strongly backed Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who has been under fire ever since India declined to accept the trophy from him after the final in Dubai.
The incident unfolded when Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, walked away with the Asia Cup 2025 trophy following Pakistan’s defeat in the title clash. India’s players reportedly refused to receive the trophy and medals from Naqvi, sparking a storm across cricketing circles given his political stance.
Naqvi later reiterated that he was still ready to hand over the trophy to India but only if they visited the ACC headquarters to collect it.
Mohammad Yousuf defends Naqvi’s stand
Speaking on Samaa TV, Yousuf endorsed Naqvi’s actions: “What Chairman Sir (Mohsin Naqvi) is doing is absolutely right. He has taken the correct stand. India should have accepted the trophy at that moment. According to ACC and ICC rules, he was there as ACC chief, and the trophy should have been handed through his hands only.”
The former Pakistan star also lashed out at Team India, accusing them of treating the sport like a movie script. “At the ground, you were busy making your films. I said it that day too — they are not coming out of the filmy world. This is cricket, not movies. In movies, there are retakes, but here you are playing a genuine sport,” Yousuf remarked.
He further insisted that Naqvi’s stance was not personal but linked to national pride. “Whatever he is doing for the respect of Pakistan, he is doing right, and we are with him.”
Also Read: India’s Triple Century Show Puts West Indies on the Back Foot in Ahmedabad Test
Trophy row far from over
With both boards refusing to budge, the Asia Cup trophy row continues to overshadow what should have been a celebration of cricket. For now, the controversy shows no signs of cooling down.
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