India’s five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final will be remembered as much for its off-field drama as its on-field intensity. After sealing the win in a tense chase in Dubai, the Indian team shocked spectators and officials by refusing to accept the winner’s trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB Chairman.
The post-match presentation ceremony was delayed by nearly an hour as negotiations reportedly took place between BCCI officials and tournament organizers. When the ceremony finally began, the Indian players walked up only to receive their individual awards, including the Player of the Match and Player of the Series trophies. However, they did not proceed for the final team presentation, leaving the winner’s trophy unclaimed on the table.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav later explained the team’s stance, saying that they could not, in good conscience, accept the trophy from Naqvi. He called the situation “a champion team being denied its rightful moment” and said that while the team celebrated internally, the absence of the formal trophy lift would always feel unusual. “We played back-to-back games, put everything into this campaign, and to not have that moment was disappointing,” he said. He added that the real victory was in the collective fight and the bond built over the tournament.
BCCI sources suggested that they had requested an alternate presenter, citing Naqvi’s political position as a conflict of interest. When this was refused, India chose to make their point through a silent protest. The board is now reportedly preparing to raise the issue formally with the ICC, seeking a review of presentation protocols for future ACC and ICC events.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha criticized India’s actions as disrespectful, saying that the refusal to shake hands after the match and to receive the trophy was “against the spirit of cricket.” He insisted that Pakistan’s team stayed on the field, accepted their medals, and waited for the official ceremonies to conclude as per protocol.
The absence of the traditional trophy moment created an unusual atmosphere at the ground. Fans, both in the stadium and watching globally, were left without the customary visuals of the winning team holding the silverware. Instead, the Indian players created their own moment on the field, with Suryakumar mimicking a trophy lift and the team posing for group photos without the actual trophy.
The incident has sparked debate across the cricketing world about the intersection of politics and sport. For some, India’s stance was a strong statement; for others, it was a missed opportunity to demonstrate that cricket can rise above political tensions. Regardless, the Asia Cup 2025 final will be remembered not just for the cricketing battle but for the controversy that followed, adding another dramatic chapter to the storied India-Pakistan rivalry.
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