India secured the 2025 Asia Cup title with a thrilling five-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday. However, the real drama unfolded off the pitch, captivating audiences as much as the game itself. Following the intense final, both captains made headlines with unexpected announcements.
India’s skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, surprised many by declaring his decision to donate his entire match fees from the tournament to the Indian armed forces. During his press conference, he stated, “As a gesture, I want to donate my match fees from all the games in this tournament to the Indian Army. I don’t know if people will call it controversial, but for me, it’s the right thing to do.” He then promptly concluded his session, a style that has become his signature.
Soon after, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha mirrored Yadav’s approach, also announcing a donation. Agha stated, “We as a team, are donating our match fees to all the civilians who lost their lives during the Indian attack and to our kids who were affected by it. We are donating it to them.” He too ended his press conference with a brisk “Thank you very much” before exiting.
On the field, India demonstrated remarkable composure in a nail-biting chase. Young talent Tilak Varma was the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 69 off 53 balls, including a crucial six off Haris Rauf in the final over. Shivam Dube provided vital support with a brisk 33 from 22 deliveries, while Rinku Singh sealed the victory by hitting the winning boundary off the only ball he faced in the tournament.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan had posted a total of 146 runs after experiencing a dramatic collapse from 113/1 in 19.1 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) had initially given Pakistan a solid foundation. However, Kuldeep Yadav’s exceptional spell, taking 4/30, triggered a collapse. Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel also contributed with crucial wickets.
India’s chase started precariously, with the team struggling at 20/3 after losing Abhishek Sharma (5), Shubman Gill (12), and Yadav (1) early. Nevertheless, partnerships involving Tilak, Samson (24), and Dube stabilized the innings. The decisive 60-run stand between Varma and Dube off just 40 balls ultimately secured India’s victory.
Beyond the game, the final was also characterized by palpable tension between the two teams. India notably refused to shake hands with Pakistan players both before and after the match. Furthermore, the Indian side declined to accept the trophy or medals from ACC president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the team’s stance, as the players chose to celebrate their triumph on the field without the official trophy.
These dramatic gestures from both captains vividly underscored the intense mood and rivalry surrounding the event, marking a new, highly dramatic chapter in India-Pakistan cricket, both on and off the field.