Dubai: India’s gritty five-wicket triumph over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final was dramatically overshadowed by unprecedented chaos at the post-match presentation, as the victorious Indian team flatly refused to accept the winners’ trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.
The standoff led to prolonged delays, loud booing from the predominantly Indian crowd, and ultimately, the trophy being unceremoniously whisked away from the podium, leaving the Indian team to celebrate their hard-fought victory empty-handed.
Refusal of Presentation
Sources confirmed that the Indian team, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, had earlier informed the ACC management that Naqvi—who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister—was an “unacceptable figure” to present the silverware. This refusal followed a series of escalating tensions during the tournament, including India’s “no handshake” policy with the Pakistani players and controversial social media activity by the PCB chief himself.
When Mohsin Naqvi took the stage, the Indian players stood firm, maintaining a distance from the dais. The subsequent impasse forced the presentation to grind to a halt. The Indian team was reportedly willing to receive the trophy from Emirates Cricket Board Vice Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, who was also present, but this request was allegedly denied by Naqvi.
Trophy Taken Off-Stage
As the standoff continued and Indian fans inside the stadium expressed their fury with loud chants, the situation escalated further. In a chaotic move that epitomized the political tension surrounding the tournament, the winners’ trophy was quietly taken away from the podium by an organizer.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia later slammed the PCB chief’s actions, claiming Naqvi “ran away with the Asia Cup to his hotel room.”
Commentator Simon Doull was eventually forced to announce that the ACC had been informed that the Indian team would not be collecting their awards or the trophy, concluding the post-match ceremony abruptly and without the customary presentation.
Suryakumar Lashes Out
Following the bizarre incident, Captain Suryakumar Yadav voiced his disappointment, stating, “I think this is one thing I have never seen. Since I started playing and following cricket, a champion team being denied a trophy. That too a hard-earned one.”
He confirmed the team’s conscious decision not to accept the trophy from Naqvi but celebrated their win with his teammates on the empty podium. Yadav capped off the dramatic night by announcing he would donate his entire match fees from the tournament to the Indian Armed Forces, a gesture widely seen as a protest against the off-field political drama.
The ugly scenes in Dubai ensured that India’s record-extending ninth Asia Cup title will be remembered as much for the diplomatic standoff as for Tilak Varma’s heroic chase.
