Asia Cup Trophy Row Boils Over: Naqvi Denies Apology, Kapil Dev Draws Fire

NEW DELHI -The Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy shows no signs of cooling, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi dismissing reports that he had apologized to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), even as cricket legend Kapil Dev found himself at the center of a storm over remarks urging India to “move on” from its issues with Pakistan.

Naqvi took to X to accuse Indian media of spreading “fabricated propaganda.” “Indian media thrives on lies, not facts. Let me make it absolutely clear: I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologized to the BCCI nor will I ever do so. This fabricated nonsense is nothing but cheap propaganda, aimed only at misleading their own people. Unfortunately, India continues to drag politics into cricket, damaging the very spirit of the game,” he wrote.

The row began on September 28 after India defeated Pakistan to claim a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title in Dubai. In an unprecedented move, the Indian players refused to accept the trophy and medals from Naqvi, citing strained geopolitical relations. They requested that the presentation be conducted by the vice-chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, a request Naqvi rejected.

The ceremony eventually went ahead, with Indian players receiving individual awards from other dignitaries. But when Naqvi stepped onto the stage, Team India declined to take the trophy from him. The silverware was later removed from the venue, leaving the champions without their prize. Reports have since claimed Naqvi asked India captain Suryakumar Yadav to personally collect the trophy from the ACC office in Dubai.

Adding fuel to the fire, Kapil Dev’s call for India to “move on” from the boycott provoked sharp criticism. In a television interview, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain said, “I think when they (Team India) didn’t shake hands, it was fine. Shaking hands is not a big thing… You can’t linger on for these types of things. You have to move on. Let the government do that job. Let the politician do that job. Our job was to make an impact, which the Indian team did – not once but three times.”

The remarks triggered fierce backlash online and from public figures. Retired Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon accused Kapil of showing a “soft corner” for Pakistan, while Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey said the former cricketer was “living in la la land.” Political commentator Tehseen Poonawala reminded Kapil of Pakistan-sponsored terror attacks, while advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai called him an “irrelevant has-been” peddling “anti-national drivel.”

On social media, the reaction was equally harsh, with netizens branding him a “loose cannon” who no longer reflects the national mood. Critics also questioned whether he should continue in ambassadorial roles after his comments. (IANS)