India’s victory over Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup final was marred by a tense and controversial moment at the post-match trophy presentation ceremony. Despite their hard-fought win, India’s cricket team decided not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president, Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the interior minister of Pakistan. This decision led to a delay in the ceremony, sparking significant controversy in the cricketing world.
The India-Pakistan Trophy Controversy
The final, which ended in a thrilling five-wicket victory for India, concluded around 10:30 PM Dubai time. However, the post-match presentation ceremony was delayed for over an hour. The wait sparked speculation that India’s refusal to accept the trophy from Naqvi was behind the delay. According to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, the decision was made not to take the trophy from Naqvi due to his political role in Pakistan. The statement issued by Saikia emphasized that this was not a personal objection to Naqvi but rather a stand against his political position in Pakistan.
Suryakumar Yadav, India’s captain, commented on the situation after the ceremony, stating, “I have never seen a champion team being denied a trophy, especially a hard-earned one. We deserved it.” He further clarified that it was a collective decision by the team, and they were not directed by anyone to refuse the award. Despite the controversy, India chose to celebrate their victory with the symbolic gesture of holding up an imaginary trophy during the ceremony.
Tensions Between India and Pakistan Throughout the Tournament
India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players throughout the tournament had already highlighted the growing tension between the two teams. India had not exchanged pleasantries with Pakistan’s team during tosses or post-match interactions, which led to criticism from Pakistan’s coach, Mike Hesson, and captain, Salman Agha. The rivalry reached a boiling point in the Super Fours stage, especially after heated verbal spats between players. Suryakumar Yadav was fined for his remarks following India’s first match against Pakistan, while Pakistan’s Haris Rauf faced similar consequences after the second game.
The Asia Cup final was a culmination of this heightened tension, with India choosing to celebrate in their unique way. The post-match proceedings, which saw Pakistan captain Salman Agha accepting the runners-up cheque and the Pakistan team receiving their medals, ended without India collecting their prize.
India’s stance on the trophy issue is likely to be a point of discussion at the upcoming ICC conference in November, where BCCI has indicated plans to raise a formal protest. Despite the controversy, India remains resolute in their position, with their focus clearly on the team’s accomplishments rather than the politics surrounding the trophy.
