Controversies in Mohsin Naqvi’s Tenure As ACC Chairman (Source: AFP and X.com)Mohsin Naqvi’s tenure as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman has been anything but controversy-free. From the India-Pakistan handshake row during the 2025 Asia Cup to the unusual trophy presentation drama after India’s title wins, Naqvi has repeatedly found himself at the centre of off-field headlines.The latest controversy came after India Women won the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai. The Indian team did not accept the trophy from Naqvi, who is not only the ACC Chairman but also the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister.The development echoed the men’s team’s decision to avoid receiving the 2025 Asia Cup trophy from him.The BCCI had reportedly communicated its position to the ACC before the final, with India unwilling to receive the trophy from Naqvi. The presentation was consequently disrupted, adding another chapter to the strained cricketing relationship between India and Pakistan.Start Of Mohsin Naqvi’s Tenure As ACC ChairmanMohsin Naqvi formally took charge as the ACC Chairman on April 3, 2025, succeeding Sri Lanka Cricket chief Shammi Silva. He was elected for a two-year term after the leadership of the continental body was handed back to Pakistan.Naqvi’s appointment itself attracted attention because he was already serving as the PCB Chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister. His multiple administrative and political roles raised questions about a potential conflict of interest, particularly when India-Pakistan cricketing matters came under the spotlight.His tenure soon became closely associated with the 2025 Asia Cup, where political tensions between India and Pakistan repeatedly spilt into cricket.That being said, the trophy episode is only one of several flashpoints associated with Naqvi since he took charge of the ACC chair. Here is a look at the major controversies during Mohsin Naqvi’s Tenure As ACC Chairman.1) India-Pakistan Handshake Row In Asia Cup 2025One of the first major controversies of Naqvi’s ACC tenure came during the 2025 Asia Cup.India and Pakistan did not exchange the customary handshake before or after their league-stage match in Dubai. The development came after the heightened political tensions between the two neighbouring countries following the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent military conflict in May 2025.Naqvi, who was simultaneously serving as ACC President and PCB Chairman, publicly criticised the lack of sportsmanship. He described India’s conduct as disappointing and argued that politics should not enter sport.The controversy intensified when Naqvi alleged that match referee Andy Pycroft had asked the captains not to shake hands at the toss. The PCB subsequently lodged a complaint with the ICC and demanded Pycroft’s removal from the tournament. Naqvi later deleted the social-media post announcing the complaint, adding another layer to the episode.Also read: Watch- Pakistan takes a dig at India over Asia Cup handshake row in latest promo for AUS T20IsPakistan even briefly threatened to withdraw from its next Asia Cup fixture against the UAE, although the team eventually played the match.2) Controversial Social Media Posts During Asia Cup 2025Naqvi’s own social-media activity also became a major talking point during the 2025 Asia Cup.He shared a video involving Cristiano Ronaldo that was widely interpreted as a reference to fighter jets being shot down. The post came amid a politically charged tournament and was criticised for bringing military imagery into a cricketing context.crictalk @crictalk7 Sep 14, 2026, 2:15 PM His social-media activity became particularly significant after India eventually won the tournament. Reports suggested that his reposts, including images of Pakistan players wearing flight suits with fighter jets in the background, contributed to the Indian team’s decision not to accept the trophy from him.For an ACC chief expected to represent the interests of cricket across Asia, such posts inevitably attracted scrutiny.3) India Refuses To Accept Asia Cup 2025 Trophy From NaqviThe biggest controversy of Naqvi’s first year as ACC Chairman came after India’s victory over Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup final.India defeated Pakistan by five wickets to win the title. However, the post-match presentation turned into an unusual standoff when the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team refused to accept the trophy and winners’ medals from Naqvi.India had reportedly indicated that it was willing to receive the trophy from a neutral official. Naqvi, however, remained the designated presenter. The ceremony was delayed for more than an hour before India eventually left without participating in the traditional trophy presentation.The episode created a remarkable image: India were the champions, but the players did not receive the trophy on stage.Naqvi subsequently left the venue with the trophy, further escalating the controversy. The BCCI also indicated that it would raise the matter at the ICC level.4) ACC Meeting Over The Asia Cup TrophyThe controversy did not end at the stadium.An ACC meeting followed the Asia Cup final, with the issue of the trophy and winners’ medals becoming a major point of discussion. The BCCI pushed for the trophy to be handed over through a neutral representative, while the dispute over the presentation remained unresolved.This was particularly significant because the issue was no longer simply about an India-Pakistan cricket match. It had become a question surrounding the administration of the continental tournament and the role of its president.The episode also brought scrutiny to whether Naqvi’s simultaneous roles as PCB Chairman, ACC chief, and Pakistan’s Interior Minister made it difficult for him to be seen as a neutral administrator during India-Pakistan disputes.5) India Women Again Refuse To Receive The Asia Cup Trophy From NaqviThe latest controversy has brought the issue back into the spotlight.India Women defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final to win the tournament for a record-extending eighth time. However, the celebrations were overshadowed by another trophy presentation dispute involving Naqvi.The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s team did not accept the trophy from Naqvi. Reports said the BCCI had already communicated its position to the ACC before the final, making the development a planned stance rather than a decision taken spontaneously after the match.Also read: BCCI Fumes After ACC Rejects Plea, Asia Cup Controversy EscalatesThe situation was particularly striking because it repeated what had happened with the Indian men’s team in the previous year’s Asia Cup.The controversy also affected the presentation ceremony, with the Indian players missing the conventional trophy handover and celebrating their historic title separately. Naqvi later met BCCI officials Rajeev Shukla and Devajit Saikia after the final.Thus, within two consecutive Asia Cup editions, both Indian senior teams have avoided receiving the continental trophy directly from the ACC Chairman.When Will Mohsin Naqvi’s Tenure As ACC Chairman End?Mohsin Naqvi’s term as ACC Chairman is scheduled to last for two years from April 3, 2025. Therefore, his current tenure is expected to conclude in April 2027, unless there is a change in the ACC’s leadership arrangement before then.By that point, Naqvi’s tenure could be remembered for more than administrative developments. The handshake dispute, the match-referee controversy, his social-media activity and, most prominently, the repeated Asia Cup trophy presentation disputes have made his time as ACC chief unusually eventful.Also read: Jay Shah's ICC Hands Brutal Punishment To Pakistan Amid Asia Cup Trophy Drama
