New Delhi: Why did Indian cricketers refuse to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Pakistani interior minister and Asia Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi?

Was it just because he is a Pakistani? ADVERTISEMENT

Maybe not.

It has now come to light that Naqvi’s reposting of certain images on his X handle – not accessible in India – triggered the refusal. One of the images titled ‘Final Day’ showed Pakistani cricketers, including captain Salman Ali Agha and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, in flight suits with airborne fighter jets in the background. Earlier during the tournament, he had posted an image of Cristiano Ronaldo depicting a crashing plane.

Such behaviour, coming from a minister in the Pakistani cabinet, who also happens to be the president of the Pakistan Cricket Council (

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