Mohsin Naqvi to Receive Pakistan’s Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Gold Medal for Asia Cup Trophy Incident
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Mohsin Naqvi, the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, is scheduled to receive the prestigious Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Excellence Gold Medal. This honor comes in recognition of his “principled and courageous stance” during the Asia Cup 2025 final, where he controversially withheld the trophy from the Indian cricket team. The incident occurred after India defeated Pakistan in the final match held in Dubai, with India choosing to boycott the trophy presentation due to escalating political tensions between the two nations.
Following the Indian team’s refusal to accept the trophy from him, Naqvi was seen walking off with the Asia Cup trophy, an act that has since sparked widespread debate and criticism. Despite the controversy, Naqvi’s actions have been lauded by some within Pakistan as a display of national pride and defiance. The award ceremony for the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Excellence Gold Medal is reportedly planned to take place in Karachi.
The incident has highlighted the complex interplay between politics and sports in the South Asian context, with cricket often serving as a platform for broader national sentiments. While Naqvi’s actions have drawn ire from Indian fans and officials, they have resonated with segments of the Pakistani populace, leading to this national recognition.
