India’s Tilak Varma (L) celebrates their vicotry at the end of the Asia Cup 2025 Twenty20 international cricket final match between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on September 28, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP) (Photo by SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)
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In another politically charged turn of events, the Indian team raised an “invisible trophy” in the air after defeating Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup Final.
On Sunday, the men in blue achieved a historic feat against long-term rivals Pakistan by five wickets in a highly anticipated final. Following this, team India refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi.
The ceremony was delayed for more than an hour at the Dubai International Stadium. The Pakistan team arrived late for the ceremony, causing growing suspicion among the dwindling number of fans waiting in the stands. Eventually, the ceremony was cut short as team India refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior minister and Chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
As per sources, Naqvi refused to leave the presentation ceremony altogether and adamantly declined to relinquish his position to hand over the trophy. Lastly, before the broadcast of the ceremony, the Asia Cup trophy was removed from the podium, and team India concluded the night without lifting the trophy.
Tilak Varma, whose half-century paved the way for India’s victory, and Abhishek Sharma collected awards for player of the match and tournament, respectively, along with Kuldeep Yadav, who collected an award for his bowling performance throughout the undefeated tournament. All three players from India refused to shake hands with Naqvi and left straight back to the dressing rooms. Following this, the winning team did not receive medals or a chance to lift the Asia Cup trophy. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav did not speak at the presentation.
Pakistani players received their respective runners-up medals from Bangladesh Cricket President (BCP) Aminul Islam and a cheque from Naqvi, and then swiftly left for their dressing rooms.
“I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation,” New Zealand cricketer and host Simon Doull announced on the broadcast. The ACC also did not present any explanation on the matter.
After the ceremony ended and Naqvi left the podium, the Indian players briefly celebrated the victory with a photo-op. Yadav lifted an imaginary trophy as the rest of the team cheered and huddled alongside him, as fireworks went off in the background.
Denied The Chance To Lift The Trophy
Pakistan’s cricket team members wait for the presentation ceremony at the end of the Asia Cup 2025 Twenty20 international cricket final match between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on September 28, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP) (Photo by SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
In the aftermath of the events, Yadav claimed the team was denied a chance to lift the trophy. “This is one thing which I have never seen since I started playing cricket, started following cricket — a champion team is denied a trophy, that too a hard-earned one,” the T20 skipper stated in the post-match media conference.
“I feel we deserved it. And I can’t say anything more. If you tell me about trophies, mine are sitting in the dressing room, all 14 guys with me, the support staff — those are the real trophies throughout this journey in the Asia Cup.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia also stated that “a very strong protest” will be launched against the ACC chairperson at the next conference, scheduled for November in Dubai. The BCCI also announced a reward of INR 21 crore for players and support staff.
Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, addressed the media two hours after the match ended, after the team players and coaches had already left the venue. “If the ACC has a president, then it’s his job to give the trophy. If you don’t want to take it from him, then how else will you get it?” Agha questioned during the post-match conference.
Throughout the tournament, the two teams faced each other three times, with India emerging victorious on each occasion. The teams faced each other only months after the border clashes between the neighbouring countries in May.
Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistani players during the first two games. Following the matches, Yadav dedicated the victory to their armed forces. In response to this controversial move, the Pakistani team threatened to withdraw from the tournament; however, the threat was unsuccessful. On Sunday, the political tension continued to simmer throughout the match, as the teams concluded the tournament without a handshake.
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