The Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday night concluded not just with India’s thrilling five-wicket victory over Pakistan, but also with an astonishingly chaotic presentation ceremony that has left cricket fans buzzing.
The drama unfolded when the victorious Indian team refused to accept their winners’ trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan minister, Mohsin Naqvi. This unprecedented standoff led to the champions celebrating their ninth Asia Cup title without any official silverware, marking a bizarre first in cricketing history.
But the controversy didn’t stop there. Tensions escalated when Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha collected his runner-up cheque from Naqvi, only to angrily fling it away moments later. This shocking act, captured on camera, was met with a chorus of boos from disappointed Indian fans who had remained in the stadium for the delayed ceremony.
The evening’s contentious events began with India’s refusal to approach the stage, insisting they would only receive the trophy from Emirates Cricket Board’s vice-chairman, Khalid Al Zarooni. Naqvi, however, stood firm, leading to a prolonged deadlock before the trophy was eventually and quietly removed by the organizers.
Adding to the intense atmosphere, Indian fans voiced their displeasure by chanting “Bharat Maata Ki Jai” as Naqvi attempted to proceed with the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan players remained in their dressing room for nearly an hour before finally emerging to collect their cheques, only to witness their captain’s public outburst of anger.
Amidst all the post-match theatrics, the final match itself was a nail-biter. India successfully chased Pakistan’s target of 146 all out, securing their ninth Asia Cup title. Despite an early wobble at 20-3, Tilak Varma’s impressive 69 not out off 53 balls and Shivam Dube’s crucial 33 helped stabilize the innings. Varma and Dube forged a vital 60-run partnership that significantly shifted the momentum in India’s favor.
Rinku Singh then sealed the victory, hitting a boundary off the only ball he faced in the tournament, as India reached 150-5 with just two balls to spare. Earlier, Pakistan’s batting lineup experienced a dramatic collapse, losing from 113-1 to 146 all out, primarily due to Kuldeep Yadav’s stellar performance, taking 4-30. This final clash was the first India-Pakistan Asia Cup final ever, a tournament that proved to be memorable for both its on-field intensity and off-field controversies.