Drama, suspense, anger, boos, and thrill — the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium had it all. (Image credit: ACC)
The Asia Cup 2025 final between cricketing arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium was less a game of cricket and more a saga of drama, suspense, anger, boos, and thrilling moments. While the tournament itself had been brewing with tension, marked by the infamous ‘handshake controversy’, the final night escalated into an unprecedented spectacle. India’s resolute refusal to accept the trophy from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, his subsequent dramatic exit with the cup, and Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s defiant act of throwing away the runners-up cheque ensured this finale would be etched in the memories of cricket fans as an evening of unparalleled chaos and controversy.
Amidst the uproar, India ultimately secured their ninth Asia Cup title, spanning both ODI and T20I formats, marking their second triumph in the T20I version of the competition.
The Night’s Dramatic Timeline:
TOSS: An Absence of Sportsmanship
Right from the coin toss, the palpable tension was evident as Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his Pakistani counterpart, Salman Ali Agha, conspicuously avoided the traditional handshake, setting a frosty tone for the match.
NATIONAL ANTHEM: A Moment of Disrespect?
As the teams lined up for the national anthems, a contentious moment unfolded. While India’s anthem played, cameras captured Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf engaged in casual conversation. This action swiftly went viral, drawing widespread criticism from fans who deemed it “disrespectful.”
BUMRAH’S BOLD SEND-OFF
Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah delivered a masterful yorker to dismiss Haris Rauf in the 18th over. In a playful yet pointed gesture, Bumrah then mimicked Rauf’s distinctive dipping-flight celebration from their earlier Super 4 encounter, marking a memorable send-off.
TROPHY DRAMA: The Standoff
Following their thrilling victory, Indian players sparked further controversy by refusing to accept the coveted trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who holds dual roles as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council. This unexpected standoff left Naqvi waiting on stage for almost 20 minutes as the presentation ceremony remained at a standstill.
DELAYS AND A Dramatic Walk-Off
As the impasse persisted without a clear resolution, Naqvi eventually made the astonishing decision to walk off the stage, taking the trophy with him. This act caused the entire ceremony to be postponed by over an hour, leaving the champions still without their well-earned prize.
CROWD REACTION: Boos and Chants
The crowd, predominantly Indian supporters, made their displeasure known, filling the stadium with passionate chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and loud boos directed at Naqvi.
PLAN B: A New Presenter Emerges
In a bid to salvage the situation, organizers swiftly devised an alternative plan. India agreed to finally receive the trophy from Khalid Al Zarooni, the vice-chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).
THE PRESENTATION FINALLY KICKS OFF
The much-delayed ceremony eventually began, but it was clear that the evening’s theatrics were far from over.
BOOS AND A Thrown Cheque
More jeers ensued as Haris Rauf was met with chants of “Kohli! Kohli!” from the crowd, and Salman Ali Agha also faced a volley of boos. In a truly astonishing moment, the Pakistan captain reacted by throwing away the runners-up cheque before storming off the field with his entire team.
INDIA CELEBRATE (Virtually) Without the Trophy
Despite the prolonged wait for their physical trophy and medals, the Indian champions found a creative way to celebrate, taking their festivities to social media. Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana notably mimicked Abrar Ahmed’s distinctive head-tilt celebration. Varun Chakravarthy posted a poignant image of a lone teacup, subtly alluding to the absent trophy, while Hardik Pandya and others humorously replaced the missing cup with trophy emojis in their celebratory photos.
POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav and opening batsman Abhishek Sharma later faced the media to discuss their historic ninth Asia Cup victory, offering their perspectives on a match filled with unforgettable moments.