The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has split into two blocs amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan over the Asia Cup trophy row, Express News has reported.
According to details, Bangladesh and Pakistan stand on one side, while Sri Lanka has aligned itself with India. Afghanistan continues to shift its position, sometimes siding with one bloc and sometimes with the other. Sources said the division has deepened since the Asia Cup final controversy, and the trophy matter still remains unresolved.
ACC President and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly become a major irritant for India, with reports claiming that a no-confidence motion against him is expected. Indian media ran stories alleging that Naqvi apologized to the BCCI on Wednesday, but he firmly rejected the claims.
Taking to X, Naqvi said, “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.” He described the reports as “fabricated nonsense” and “cheap propaganda” aimed at misleading the Indian public.
Naqvi also reiterated his stance on the trophy handover. “As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now. If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me,” he wrote.
The controversy began after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final but refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi. The ceremony ended without a handover, leaving the trophy with ACC officials.
Earlier in the event, Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, while their captain avoided a pre-final photo with Pakistan’s skipper.
During a recent ACC meeting, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla reportedly demanded that the trophy be delivered to India, but Naqvi maintained the matter was not on the agenda and insisted the Indian captain should personally collect it from ACC headquarters.
As of now, the Asia Cup trophy remains in the ACC office in Dubai.