India trophy news has taken a dramatic turn after a fresh controversy emerged at the Asia Cup. A storm erupted in Pakistan’s cricketing circles when the Indian team reportedly refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Mohsin Naqvi. The incident has triggered sharp reactions from former Pakistani players, who have urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) and other boards to step in and take notice.
Kamran Akmal’s Strong Reaction
Former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal expressed strong disappointment over India’s stance. He said the PCB should immediately declare that Pakistan will never play against India again. According to him, this act was not just disrespectful but damaging for the spirit of cricket.
“Pakistan board should immediately announce that we will never play against India. Let’s see what action ICC takes now. But since the BCCI is leading ICC, what will Jay Shah do? This is where neutral cricketing boards have to come forward and take a stand,” Akmal told ARY News.
Akmal added that the matter cannot be resolved if India and Pakistan are involved directly. Instead, he suggested that a neutral committee consisting of officials from countries like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand should be formed to decide what action is necessary.
PCB’s Position and the Trophy Issue
The controversy began when the PCB president insisted that the trophy presentation must be done by him as the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). India’s refusal to accept the trophy from Naqvi was seen as a deliberate snub, leading to widespread criticism in Pakistan. Akmal alleged that such actions were “cheap behaviour” and accused India of damaging cricket’s global reputation.
“India has made a joke of itself in world cricket,” Akmal said. “The trophy has to be presented by the president. Whether they accept it or not, it is the rule. Such behaviour damages the credibility of the game.”
Bazid Khan Calls the Situation ‘Hostile’
Another former cricketer, Bazid Khan, said the situation has left a “bad taste.” He argued that the Asia Cup was meant to bring Asian nations together, but incidents like these defeat the entire purpose.
“This kind of animosity has never happened before. The Asia Cup is about unity, but when you say we won’t take the trophy from a particular person, it sets a dangerous precedent. It’s bizarre and damaging to the sport,” Bazid said.
He added that cricket should not be reduced to political rivalries, and the presidency of ACC rotates among nations for a reason — to ensure equality among Asian cricket boards.
Basit Ali Agrees with Akmal
Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali also supported Kamran Akmal’s stance. Speaking on ARY News, he said that all cricket boards must unite against India’s actions. He emphasized that cricket survives on broadcasters’ revenue, most of which comes from India-Pakistan clashes.
“If Pakistan decides not to play against India, the broadcasters will face huge losses. Inside the ground, India may have won, but outside it, they have lost badly,” Basit Ali remarked. He added that India’s behaviour only brought negative publicity to itself.
Broader Concerns for World Cricket
The debate around this controversy is not just about one trophy but about how the game is governed. Former cricketers argue that the dominance of one board, no matter how financially strong, should not dictate the spirit of cricket. Akmal even said that cricketing legends across the world, including commentators and ex-players, should voice their opinion on how to prevent such incidents in the future.
He warned that if other boards remain silent, the sport will suffer financially and morally. “Sports is about unity, not arrogance. You cannot run cricket like this. All neutral boards need to come together to preserve the game’s integrity,” Akmal added.
Also read: ICC Womens Cricket World Cup 2025 Schedule: Complete Guide, Teams, Venues, and Live Streaming
Conclusion
This latest India trophy news controversy has deepened the rift between India and Pakistan cricket. With strong words from Kamran Akmal, Basit Ali, and Bazid Khan, the issue is no longer limited to just two nations — it has become a question of cricket’s global governance. Whether ICC or neutral boards will act remains to be seen, but the incident has already created a significant debate about respect, unity, and the true spirit of the game.
