India’s wait continues as Asia Cup trophy may have been relocated from ACC headquarters to…

The Asian Cup trophy drama continues to take new turns weeks after the final between India and Pakistan ended in Dubai on September 28. According to sources, the trophy has been removed from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters and moved to a different location in Abu Dhabi.

The stalemate over the Asian Cup trophy began when India refused to accept the title of Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s home minister, amid cross-border tensions between the two countries following a five-wicket win. Immediately after the famous feat, chaos broke out when the post-match presentation was delayed by 90 minutes. In response to India’s decision, an official removed the Asia Cup trophy from its place on the raised dais and lifted it off the ground without any explanation.

While India awaits the return of the cup, the whole story has now taken a new twist. A BCCI official visited the ACC headquarters last week and inquired about the silverware. The staff informed the official that the trophy had been moved to a different location in Abu Dhabi.

“A BCCI official visited the ACC headquarters a few days ago. When he inquired about the trophy at the ACC office, the staff told him that the trophy had been removed from there and was in Moshin Naqvi’s custody somewhere in Abu Dhabi,” sources said.

Earlier this month, Naqvi had set the condition for his return by saying that if India “really” wanted it, they could come to the ACC office and collect the money from it. According to Geo News, recently Naqvi proposed to host a ceremony to present the 2025 Asia Cup trophy to India.

Naqvi’s reaction came after the BCCI’s official letter to him in which the board told him to hand over the trophy to India. The daring Naqvi, however, stood firm in his stance in his reply and requested BCCI to send an Indian player to attend the ceremony and receive the trophy from him.

An ACC meeting was held at the end of September. Following the conclusion of the meeting, various reports claimed that Naqvi apologized to the BCCI for the chaos that ensued after the final. However, a day later, Naqvi categorically denied the reports. Reports also stated that no official decision was taken at the ACC meeting to hand over the trophy to India.

READ | R Ashwin EXPLAINS why he is “worried” about Virat Kohli’s dismissal in the second ODI-Australia match after cryptic “let him go” post