Dubai : The dispute over the Asia Cup trophy between India and Pakistan remains unresolved, weeks after the final match in Dubai. Despite India’s victory over Pakistan by five wickets, the Indian team left the field without collecting the trophy, leading to a tense and awkward conclusion to the tournament.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has since contacted Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, requesting the trophy be sent directly to them. Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board, responded by announcing a formal ceremony in Dubai on December 10, where he intends to hand over the trophy to India.

However, BCCI officials have rejected the offer to collect the trophy from the ACC office, insisting it be delivered to them without ceremony. Reports suggest that Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have expressed support for India’s position, and senior BCCI figures including Rajeev Shukla have written to the ACC to press the matter further.

Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav added fuel to the controversy by stating that India never received the trophy and controversially linked the win to the Pahalgaam attack, drawing widespread criticism. On the other side, Pakistan captain Salman Agha accused India of disrespecting the spirit of cricket, choosing to speak out only after the match.

Throughout the tournament, signs of strain between the two teams were evident. Players avoided handshakes during the group stage, and verbal exchanges occurred during the Super Four round. Political tensions between the two nations appeared to spill onto the field, with both sides refraining from public comments before and after their matches.

With the trophy still in possession of the ACC, the issue may now be escalated to the International Cricket Council. The BCCI is expected to raise the matter at the ICC’s upcoming meeting next month.

Until a resolution is reached, the Asia Cup trophy remains in limbo, symbolizing the broader challenges facing cricket diplomacy between India and Pakistan.