Trophy controversy overshadows India’s Asia Cup triumph
India’s five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai, which sealed their ninth continental title, was overshadowed by an unprecedented presentation controversy. The Indian team declined to receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president, citing his political stance and anti-India rhetoric.
The refusal caused a 45-minute delay in the post-match ceremony, and when no resolution emerged, Naqvi left the venue with the trophy and medals. Broadcaster Simon Doull eventually announced, “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.”
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav explained the collective decision at the post-match press conference: “We as a team decided not to take the trophy (from Mohsin Naqvi). Nobody told us to do so. But I feel a team that that wins the tournament deserves the trophy.””
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told CNN-News18 that the stand was pre-planned: “Let me make this very clear — the Indian team’s decision was deliberate. We had already communicated that we would not accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, because he is not just the ACC chairman but also a senior leader from Pakistan. For us, it is not possible to take an award from someone who represents a country that is openly hostile and waging war against India.”
Suryakumar Yadav later insists India never rejected the trophy
Amid accusations, India’s captain sought to clarify his team’s position. In an interview with ABP News, Suryakumar Yadav said, “We never said we wouldn’t take the trophy. We waited for one and a half hours with phones in hand, ready for photos. Shivam, Kuldeep, and Abhishek went for awards, but they took the medals and trophy elsewhere, thinking they had won.”
He detailed how his teammates did collect individual honours. “After the match, we were standing on the field for an hour and a half. Our phones were in our hands, we were ready to take pictures. After the prize distribution ceremony started, Shivam Dubey and Tilak Verma went to the podium to collect their awards. Thereafter, Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav also accepted their prizes.”
Suryakumar added, “After this, we were waiting in the hope of getting the Asia Cup. However, at that time, suddenly, the people on the podium went to a different side with the medals and trophies. We did not refuse to accept the trophy.”
He affirmed India’s ownership of the title. “We have won the Asia Cup. The trophy belongs to us and we will definitely get it.”
Shoaib Malik defends Naqvi
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik defended Naqvi while appearing on the Game On Hai programme on PTV Sports. He argued that India’s refusal to accept the trophy was unjustified.
“Just see how much pressure the players went through to win the Asia Cup. How much heat was there that they played in? They worked so hard. Why did they do all that hard work? To win the Asia Cup trophy, to win the tournament! And after they’ve worked so hard, you don’t even come to take the trophy. It was such a big achievement, and that too after such a close match. It’s a massive moment.”
He added, “Look, today, they might be celebrating this thing like this. However, in the long run, after a few years, this will come back to haunt them. They’ll think: ‘We won the trophy, we worked hard’. They are athletes and sportsmen. A sportsman’s job is to come to the ground, give your best shot, and that’s it.”
Kamran Akmal calls for boycott of India
Former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal urged the PCB to boycott India in future competitions. Speaking to ARY News, he said: “Pakistan board should immediately say that ‘we should never play against India’. Let’s see what action ICC takes. What else evidence do you need after this? But the BCCI person is leading the ICC – how will he (Jay Shah) take any action? The other boards have to come together, say we can’t see this in cricket. Sport is not played at anyone’s home. If others don’t play them, then no money is going to come.”
He suggested a neutral mechanism to prevent similar disputes. “The earlier these things can be controlled, the better for everybody. A neutral body has to be formed without Pakistan and India, make a committee of Australians, South Africans, and New Zealanders and let them decide on what action to be taken about all that has happened in this tournament.”
Akmal accused India of damaging the spirit of the competition. “This cheap harkatein (behaviour) we shall keep seeing from India. We have seen in this tournament that they have done as much damage to cricket as they could. PCB and ACC president took the right stand – take the trophy or not, it will be given by the president only. India will become the joke of the cricketing world.”
‘This is one thing I have never seen’
At his post-match press conference, Suryakumar expressed disbelief. “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.”
He praised his squad and staff. “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 also downplayed the controversy. “The win is important. If you saw that after the match ended, India was written on the big screen. Asia Cup 2025 Champions. Now what’s better than this? All the boards have champions written on them. 2025 Asia Cup. And you play for that only. And I am sure everyone agrees.”
Reflecting on the campaign, he concluded: “I think it was a great moment. Great journey. Great campaign for us as a team. And I am sure the support staff will also agree. And we had a lot of fun.”
Beyond the silverware
In an interview with ANI, Suryakumar took a broader view. “I won’t call it controversy. The real trophy is when you win the hearts of people, the players, the trust you earn, the support staff, the work of so many people on the field. My trophies are sitting in my dressing room — all 14 guys with me, all the support staff. Those are the real trophies. These are the moments I’m taking back as lovely memories which will stay with me forever.”
Later, he posted on X: “When the game is done, only the champions will be remembered and not the picture of a trophy.”
BCCI vows action, Naqvi sets condition
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia described Naqvi’s conduct as “unprecedented and unacceptable” in a statement to media, confirming the board will lodge a formal complaint. According to a report by Cricbuzz, Naqvi has indicated he is prepared to hand over the Asia Cup medals and trophy to India, but only if a formal function is arranged where he can personally present them — a demand unlikely to be accepted.
The report added that the trophy was removed from the presentation area and placed under ACC custody near the Dubai stadium, with protocol requiring it to eventually reach the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. During the hour-long standoff, India had suggested neutral alternatives such as Emirates Cricket Board chairman Khalid Al Zarooni and Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam to conduct the presentation, but Naqvi refused to step aside. The issue is now expected to surface at the upcoming ACC meeting in Dubai on September 30, and again at the ICC meeting in November, prolonging the uncertainty over when the Indian team will finally receive its silverware.
What lies ahead
The Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered not only for India’s victory but also for the chaos that followed. The controversy has sharpened political and cricketing divides, while also raising questions about the governance of the ACC and the future of India-Pakistan encounters.
With the BCCI preparing to escalate the matter at both ACC and ICC forums, and Naqvi standing firm on his condition, the dispute shows little sign of immediate resolution. For now, India’s players and fans celebrate the triumph without the trophy, while the cricketing world debates one of the most controversial finishes to a major tournament in recent cricket history.
