Mohsin Naqvi to Receive Bhutto Excellence Medal After Asia Cup Trophy Row
Mohsin Naqvi, who simultaneously serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, and President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), will be awarded the prestigious Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Excellence Gold Medal. The recognition comes in light of his “principled and courageous stance” during the recent Asia Cup trophy handover controversy.
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Recognition of Leadership
The announcement was made by Advocate Ghulam Abbas Jamal, President of the Sindh and Karachi Basketball Associations. He praised Naqvi for actions that, according to him, “restored national pride” during a period of heightened political and sporting tensions between India and Pakistan.
Trophy Controversy Explained
Naqvi made global headlines after the Asia Cup final when Indian players declined to accept the trophy from him — a move widely seen as a political snub. In response, Naqvi kept the trophy and later posted on social media that the Indian team was “welcome” to collect it from the ACC headquarters if they wished.
Defiant Response to BCCI
Amid reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took offence, Naqvi publicly stated: “I did nothing wrong, and I will not apologise.” His refusal to bow under pressure won him admiration in Pakistan’s political and sporting circles.
National Pride and Symbolism
Organisers of the award stressed that the honour was more than a cricketing matter — it symbolises dignity, sovereignty, and resistance against external pressure. A formal ceremony is planned in Karachi, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari invited as the chief guest.
Ceremony Details
The event is being coordinated by a special committee chaired by Sindh Basketball Association head Khalid Jameel Shamsi, with Karachi’s Director of Sports, Ghulam Muhammad Khan, serving as secretary. The date of the ceremony will be finalised depending on Bilawal Bhutto’s availability.
Broader Diplomatic Tensions
The Asia Cup final unfolded amid strained India-Pakistan relations. India reportedly enforced a strict “no-handshake” protocol, while refusing to take the trophy from Naqvi intensified the diplomatic row. The BCCI has raised the issue at the ACC meeting and plans to escalate it at the ICC’s upcoming session.
Political Backdrop
This controversy comes at a sensitive time, following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian tourists. The attack, attributed to Pakistan-based militants, prompted India’s “Operation Sindoor” — a series of military strikes across the border, further straining ties.
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