India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28 at Dubai International Stadium, but the celebrations turned controversial. The Indian players refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. In a shocking twist, Naqvi then walked away with the silverware, leaving the champions without their prize.
The final: India’s on-field triumph
India restricted Pakistan to 146 and chased down the target in the last over, finishing on 150/5 with two balls to spare. The victory sealed India’s record ninth Asia Cup title, but what followed after the win made more headlines than the match itself.
The presentation ceremony was delayed by more than an hour. When the time came, Indian players collected individual awards like Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament, but did not step forward to receive the main trophy.
Why did India refuse the trophy?
- Political issues – Because of the tense relations between India and Pakistan, the BCCI did not want a Pakistani political figure to hand over the trophy.
- Naqvi’s two roles – Mohsin Naqvi is both the PCB chairman and the ACC president, which made him look biased for the presentation.
- Ignored request – India had asked for a neutral person, like an Emirates Cricket Board official, to present the trophy, but the request was turned down.
- Players’ decision – Captain Suryakumar Yadav said the choice was made by the team on the field, not by the BCCI.
Mohsin Naqvi’s act: “Running away” with the trophy
When India declined to accept the trophy, Mohsin Naqvi and his officials left the stadium carrying the trophy and medals. Later reports claimed the silverware was taken to Naqvi’s hotel.
This act drew sharp criticism from the BCCI. Secretary Devajit Saikia called it “pathetic and unsportsmanlike,” insisting that while India refused the presentation, it did not give Naqvi the right to walk away with the cup. The BCCI is preparing a formal protest to the ICC over the incident.
Suryakumar Yadav’s reaction
Suryakumar then soon attended the post-match press conference with Abhishek, where he spoke about not receiving the trophy, saying such an incident had never happened to him in his career.
“This is one thing which I have never seen. Since I started playing cricket, I have been following cricket. That a champion team is denied a trophy. That too, a hard earned one. It’s not like it happened easily. But it was a hard-earned victory. We have been here since the 4th, and played a game today. Two back-to-back good games in two days. I feel we deserved it. And I can’t say anything more. I think I have summed it up really well,” the Indian captain told reporters.
“If you tell me about the trophies. My trophies are sitting in my dressing room. All 14 guys are with me. All the support staff. Those are the real trophies. I have been a big fan of these boys throughout this journey of the Asia Cup. Since we came here, we have played this tournament. We started our preparations. I think those are the real trophies. Real moments which I am taking back as lovely memories which will stay with me forever going forward. And that’s all,” he added.
What happens next
- BCCI: Will raise the issue with the ICC, asking for responsibility and stricter rules in future finals.
- Players: chose to stay focused on their performance and didn’t let the controversy overshadow their achievement.
- Fans & experts: Many felt that the incident one of the most embarrassing moments in the tournament’s history.
- Pakistan’s view: Some officials defended Naqvi, claiming India politicized the ceremony.
Conclusion
India may have won the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan, but the trophy controversy stole the spotlight. By refusing to accept the cup from Mohsin Naqvi, and with the ACC/PCB chief walking away with the silverware, the post-match ceremony turned into a fiasco.
Yet, as Suryakumar Yadav reminded everyone, the real trophies were the players and their unity. The match will be remembered not only for India’s thrilling win but also for one of the most controversial endings in Asia Cup history.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
