The Asia Cup 2025 concluded with an unexpected twist that left fans and players alike in shock. India, after a triumphant victory over Pakistan in the final, found themselves in the middle of a dramatic ceremony that would not culminate in the traditional trophy presentation. The team’s refusal to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi – who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board and serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister – led to a chaotic scene at the Dubai International Stadium.
Trouble Signs Appeared Soon After the Match Ended
As Rinku Singh hit the winning runs, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. However, what followed was a stark contrast to the joyous celebration expected of a championship victory. Over 20 minutes elapsed post-match before any formal award ceremony began. Pakistan’s players disappeared into the dressing room, leaving India’s team in a state of uncertainty, awaiting events that should have been celebrations. In a show of confusion, officials scurried about, trying to rectify the situation while umpires and match referees attempted to negotiate an impasse that seemed to grow only more entrenched.
The stadium, once filled with cheer, began to echo with boos as fans grew restless. Many had vacated their seats, leaving only a handful of dedicated Indian supporters remaining as commentator Ravi Shastri lamented the unfairness of the delay in the players’ celebrations.
Team India’s Refusal to Accept the Asia Cup 2025 Trophy
In an unexpected turn, the Indian team was reportedly willing to accept the trophy from Khalid Al Zarooni, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board. However, this option was summarily rejected by Naqvi, deepening the standoff. The tension mounted as officials ultimately chose to remove the trophy from the ground altogether, leading to a surreal scene where India’s players collected individual awards from other dignitaries and departed without the coveted prize.
Why Did India Refuse to Take the Trophy from Naqvi?
The sources suggest that India’s refusal to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi stemmed from his provocative social media activities that surfaced shortly after the final. Naqvi had shared images on X (formerly Twitter) that many interpreted as undermining to the Indian side. One of the images featured Pakistani players in flight suits beside military jets, while another showed Cristiano Ronaldo against a backdrop of a crashing plane. Such actions did not sit well with the Indian team, who felt it demonstrated a lack of sportsmanship.
Naqvi Tells ACC to Remove Asia Cup 2025 Trophy
With neither party willing to concede, Mohsin Naqvi made his displeasure known by leaving the stage, instructing ACC officials to take away the trophy and medals intended for the champions. Even as an ACC official was seen carrying the trophy out of the stadium, the Indian players had yet to conclude their ceremony, which unfolded under an air of disbelief. Initially frustrated, the Indian team ended up celebrating their accomplishment with a mock trophy instead, turning to social media to express their victory with playful trophy emojis.
BCCI Slams Naqvi’s ‘Unsportsmanlike’ Attitude
In the fallout, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not hold back in its criticism of Naqvi’s conduct. Secretary Devajit Saikia labeled the actions as unsportsmanlike in a post-match interview, emphasizing that Naqvi had no right to remove the trophy meant for India. He expressed hope that the matter would be rectified, with the trophy returned.
Saikia announced plans for a strong protest during an ICC conference scheduled for November in Dubai. He raised pertinent questions about allowing a Pakistani official to present the trophy, reinforcing the complexities of relationships between the two nations.
‘A Champion Team Was Denied a Trophy’: Suryakumar Yadav Expresses Shock
During the post-match press conference, Suryakumar Yadav echoed the sentiments of his teammates, declaring that the Indian side had been “denied” the trophy they rightfully earned through hard-fought matches. He described the experience as unprecedented in his years of playing and following cricket.
While he emphasized the significance of teamwork and shared memories over awards, it was evident that the Indian squad felt an emotional weight from the ceremony’s unfortunate end. Suryakumar acknowledged that while personal accolades didn’t hold as much meaning to him, the memories created during the Asia Cup would remain invaluable.
