Asia Cup 2025 champions Team India were not handed over the winner’s trophy after they refused to accept it from Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi.
Updated: September 29, 2025 1:05 PM IST
The Asia Cup 2025 final met an unexpected and dramatic conclusion as Team India, the victors of the tournament, left the Dubai International Stadium empty-handed. With the Indian cricket team refusing to accept the winner’s trophy—or the accompanying medals—from Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the culminating celebration turned sour.
Adding to the tension, the presentation ceremony was delayed for over an hour. Naqvi insisted that he alone would present the trophy, denying the opportunity for other ACC officials, including Aminul Islam from Bangladesh and Khalid Al Zarooni from Dubai Sports City, to step in. The refusal from the Indian team to accept the trophy, amid heightened political tensions, contributed to the bizarre turn of events.
Internet users were quick to capture the moment, as a video surfaced showing Mohsin Naqvi leaving the stadium with the Asia Cup 2025 trophy and the winner’s medals in tow. The incident didn’t go unnoticed, prompting a barrage of comments and reactions across social media platforms.
WATCH Mohsin Naqvi leave Dubai International Stadium with Asia Cup 2025 trophy HERE…
Mohsin Naqvi to Failed Marshal Asim Munir be like: Huzoor we lost the match but stole the trophy, you can now claim winning the Asia Cup exactly like Operation sindoor where we lost the war and but claimed victory. Typical Pakistanis. Chor!!! pic.twitter.com/LYuDI2Lk2N
— Raja Muneeb (@RajaMuneeb) September 28, 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made it abundantly clear that the team would not be accepting the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from Mohsin Naqvi under any circumstances. As one senior BCCI official stated, “BCCI would have lodged an official protest if Naqvi had tried to forcefully hand over the trophy.” The stance taken by the BCCI reflects deeper issues amid ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan.
Despite the debacle, Team India players such as Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma accepted individual awards from other dignitaries present, signaling a distinction between the overarching political tensions and individual achievements. However, commentator Simon Doull eventually announced the end of the presentation ceremony, noting the absence of the winner’s trophy due to the earlier refusal.
“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,” Doull stated, underscoring the unusual nature of the situation.
Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, attempted to justify Naqvi’s actions, saying, “Everything that happened today was a consequence of all that happened (before). The ACC president will give the trophy to the winners. If you won’t take the trophy from him, how will you get it?” His statement reflected an apparent misunderstanding of the political implications at play.
Prior to the tournament, tensions had risen, with Naqvi posting cryptic videos hinting at historical grievances, including references to an alleged military conflict where Pakistan claimed victory despite the circumstances. This backdrop heightened the resistance from the Indian players against accepting anything from Mohsin Naqvi as representatives of Pakistan cricket.
The Indian team’s firm stance also stemmed from Naqvi’s calls for disciplining Indian player Suryakumar Yadav, who had expressed solidarity with victims of violence in India. The team had maintained a ‘no handshake’ policy throughout the tournament to further distance themselves from the PCB.
