NEW DELHI: A clip featuring Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Asian Cricket Council President, Mohsin Naqvi, is currently trending across Pakistani social media. The video glorifies Naqvi for his handling of the Asia Cup 2025 trophy ceremony, portraying him as a figure of national pride and authority.
The viral clip
The viral footage shows a man on stage praising Naqvi for his patience and presence of mind during the closing ceremony. According to the speaker, the Indian team, despite winning the tournament, allegedly refused to accept their medals and the trophy directly.
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"Jab ye ground mein khade the aur Indian team trophy nahi le rahi thi, inhone sabr ka muzahira kiya. Khade rahe, khade rahe. Wo chahte the ye agar hat jayenge to hum kisi aur se le lenge. Lekin unko nahi pata tha ke hamara chairman wajir-e-dakhla bhi hai. Unhone team ko baad mein dehshat gardon ki tarah handle kiya, trophy gaadi mein rakh ke saath le aaye. Ab poora India trophy ke peeche bhag raha hai."
The speaker claims that when the Indian team hesitated to accept the trophy, Naqvi stood firm, portraying patience. He suggests India had planned to collect the trophy from someone else, unaware that Naqvi, as Interior Minister, would step in.
The speaker also highlights Naqvi taking the trophy away in his car, framing it as a show of dominance, saying, "Now all of India is running after the trophy."
Asia Cup Final Trophy Controversy
The controversy emerged after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final on September 28 in Dubai. The customary presentation ceremony turned awkward when the victorious Indian team reportedly declined to receive the trophy and medals directly from Naqvi.
While Pakistani media and social platforms framed the episode as a display of authority, portraying Naqvi as decisive, many observers saw it as unnecessary theatrics. India’s triumph remained undisputed, and the team’s victory overshadowed any attempts to politicise the presentation.
