Dubai witnessed an extraordinary turn of events on Sunday night after India defeated Pakistan by five wickets to claim the Asia Cup 2025 title. Despite successfully chasing 147 runs, the Indian team refused to accept the winner’s trophy, sparking controversy and cutting short the post-match presentation ceremony.
The drama unfolded when Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister was due to present the trophy. Indian players declined to receive the award from him, leading to an abrupt end to the ceremony.
Announcer Simon Doull confirmed on stage that the presentation had been shortened following India’s decision. The tournament concluded with fireworks at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, but the star of the show the championship trophy remained absent.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told ANI that the team’s decision was deliberate “We have decided not to take the trophy from the ACC chairman, who also holds a senior position in Pakistan’s government.” Captain Suryakumar Yadav echoed the sentiment, telling AFP that the team had been “denied” the trophy after refusing to accept it from Naqvi. Saikia added that the episode was “unfortunate” and expressed hope that the players would soon receive their medals.
Political Undertones and Escalating Rivalry
The Asia Cup 2025 was marked by tension both on and off the field.
India and Pakistan clashed three times during the tournament, with each match overshadowed by political and emotional undertones. India began by refusing the traditional handshake in the opening game, citing solidarity with its armed forces and victims of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed at least 26 people earlier this month.
Subsequent matches saw disciplinary action against players from both sides. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf was fined 30% of his match fee for flashing a “6-0” gesture, referencing claims of shooting down six Indian fighter jets during a recent border conflict. Sahibzada Farhan received a warning for a “gunshot” celebration in the same match.
India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, was also penalized for dedicating a win to the Indian armed forces, a statement deemed politically charged. The PCB later filed a complaint against him with the ICC. Similarly, ahead of the final, PCB lodged another protest against Arshdeep Singh for allegedly making “obscene gestures” during the September 21 clash.
Even during Sunday’s final, tempers flared. Jasprit Bumrah’s stunning yorker that bowled Haris Rauf was followed by a celebration mimicking a jet going downa gesture that reignited tensions.
A Bizarre End to the Tournament
The refusal to accept the trophy capped off what was already one of the most politically charged editions of the Asia Cup in history. While the cricketing spectacle ended with India lifting the title in spirit, the absence of the physical trophy highlighted how deeply politics has entwined itself with the sport’s most intense rivalry.
The controversy now leaves unanswered questions about whether the Indian players will be formally presented with their medals and trophy, or if the episode will go down as one of the most unprecedented moments in the history of India–Pakistan cricket.
