Dubai and Chocolate: What's Behind the Craze?

Asia Cup Trophy MIA: Is This Cricket's "Dubai Chocolate" Moment?

The Asia Cup trophy, apparently, is still kicking around Dubai, weeks after India rightfully won it against Pakistan. According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to bring this up at the ICC Board meetings. The trophy remains in the custody of Mohsin Naqvi, who is both the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and (here's the potential conflict of interest) was Pakistan's interior minister at the time of the final.

Cordiality or Cover-Up?

The reports paint a picture of "cordial" discussions. No heated arguments, just a polite raising of the issue. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia pointed out the obvious: the trophy belongs to the Indian team. But here’s where the data analyst in me raises an eyebrow. "Cordial" often translates to "we're sweeping this under the rug to avoid a PR disaster."

The trophy is supposedly sitting in the ACC office in Dubai. Can't be moved without Naqvi's say-so. That’s control, not custody. It’s like saying you’re "borrowing" someone's car indefinitely. The BCCI apparently wrote to the ACC Chairman ten days before the ICC meeting, requesting the trophy be handed over. No response. That silence speaks volumes.

And this is the part of the report that I find genuinely puzzling. India refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi after the final, citing his role as Pakistan’s interior minister. Fair enough, given the political sensitivities. But then someone just removed the trophy from the presentation area? No explanation? That's not just a diplomatic snub; it's bizarre. What was the discussion to remove the trophy from the winning team?

The ICC's Potential Intervention: Too Little, Too Late?

The ICC might form a panel to address this. Might. Several directors are "concerned" that withholding the trophy reflects poorly on cricket's governance. You think? It's been a month and a half. The timeline itself is a data point: the longer this drags on, the more it looks like deliberate obstruction. Mohsin Naqvi cornered by BCCI in Dubai; ICC may form panel to intervene in the issue: Report.

Naqvi’s attendance at the Dubai meeting was uncertain until the last minute. He'd skipped several ICC gatherings previously. His presence "turned the speculation into a key aspect of the Board discussions." So, the mere presence of one individual is enough to throw the entire ICC into a tizzy? That doesn't speak to a robust, independent governing body.

Saikia has stated the BCCI won't accept the trophy directly from Naqvi. If they were willing to, they'd have done it immediately after the final. The board's position remains unchanged. Good. At least someone is holding firm.

This whole situation reminds me of the recent "Dubai Chocolate" craze. (Yes, I'm making that analogy). A seemingly simple treat (a championship trophy) becomes ridiculously hard to get (apparently stuck in bureaucratic quicksand), creating artificial scarcity and fueling online speculation. The Dubai Chocolate Bar craze started in July 2024, and as of today, November 8th, 2025, people are still trying to track down the elusive sweet treat. Will the Asia Cup trophy suffer the same fate?

Is This Just a Power Play?

The lack of transparency is the key takeaway here. The data points to a deliberate power play, not a simple oversight. The BCCI wants the trophy, India earned it, and someone is making it unnecessarily difficult. What’s the end game? Is this about saving face? Is it a negotiating tactic for something else entirely? Details on the internal discussions remain scarce, but the impact is clear: the credibility of cricket's governing bodies is taking a hit.

This Is a Complete Mess