Mohsin Naqvi to receive Pakistan’s national award for defying India in Asia Cup 2025 trophy ceremony

Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan Cricket Board Chief (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council President (ACC), Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Butto Excellence will be honored with the gold medal. The organizers say that the award recognized the “principled and brave stance” during the cup transfer discussion in the last Asian Cup final.

Lawyer Ghulam Abbas Jamal, President of Sindh and Karachi Basketball Associations, emphasized that Nakvi’s actions are “national pride ında in the midst of the political and sports tensions between India and Pakistan.

Cup Discussion during the Asian Cup Final 2025

Naqvi attracted a global interest when the Indian Cricket Team refused to accept the Asian Cup cup after the final, which is widely interpreted as a political gesture. In contrast, Naqvi protected the cup and said that the Indian team on social media was “welcome” to collect it from the ACC center if they want.
“I didn’t do anything wrong, and I didn’t apologize to BCCI, and I wouldn’t,” Naqvi published India’s accusation of the Cricket Control Board (BCCI) actions.

Common support in Pakistan

The decision to honor Naqvi was met in Pakistan’s political and sports circles. Organizers define the award as a symbolic respect gesture and national expression.

A official ceremony plans in Karachi continue, PPP President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Baş was invited as a guest. The date has not yet been approved to wait for the availability. He will supervise the event with Ghulam Muhammad Khan as a special committee and secretary under the chairmanship of Khalid Jameel Shamsi, President of Sindh Basketball Association. “This is not just about the jack,” he said. “This dignity is about refusing to bend under sovereignty and oppression.”

Political tensions and sports diplomacy

The Asian Cup final itself remained in the shade with political tensions. Even when they won the match, India implemented a strict “no hand jamming” protocol with Pakistani players. Naqvi refused to accept the cup, attracted the attention of diplomatic and media, and asked BCCI to raise the problem at the ACC’s annual meeting. The issue is expected to be more discussed in the International Cricket Council (ICC) session in November.

Wider context of India-Pakistan relations

This sports event comes in the midst of increasing tensions after the expensive terrorist attack, which killed 26 Indian tourists and attributed to Pakistani -based militants. On the other hand, India conducted military strikes under the “Sindoor Operation” claiming the militant camps at the border.

Entrances from TOI