In Dubai: The Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan unfolded with such drama that it could easily inspire a thrilling web series, especially following Rinku Singh’s match-winning runs.
Indian players were engulfed in jubilant celebrations, with Tilak Verma shining as the man of the moment with an exceptional unbeaten 69.
However, as the Indian team reveled in their triumph, the Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan team retreated to their dressing room and remained there, causing significant delays.
Chaos ensued as the Pakistan team stalled the post-match presentation for over an hour, while Indian cricketers and coaching staff were busy with broadcasters.
It has been revealed that the Indian team initially refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister.
Upon learning of India’s firm stance, ACC officials entered discussions to resolve the awkward situation. The Indian team had requested to receive the trophy from Emirates Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, but this request was denied. Mohsin Naqvi, resolute in his position, insisted on presenting the medals himself and subsequently instructed for the Asia Cup trophy to be taken away.
India had previously signaled its discomfort by avoiding handshakes with Pakistani players throughout all three Asia Cup encounters and skipping the customary pre-toss photoshoot.
When Naqvi finally approached the presentation stage, Indian supporters in the stadium met him with boos and enthusiastic chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” Pakistani players, particularly fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi, also faced jeers from the Indian fans.
Simon Doull announced that the Pakistan team would receive the runners-up medals from Naqvi, but he was met with refusal. Instead, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam presented the medals, then asked Naqvi to hand over the runners-up cheque to Salman Ali Agha, which the Pakistan captain angrily tossed aside.
Simon Doull later stated, “I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that concludes the post-match presentation.” Following this, all ACC officials, including Mohsin Naqvi, departed from the stadium.
The Indian team patiently waited for the trophy, watching as the champions’ placard was brought out twice by groundsmen, only to be taken back. Hardik Pandya was the first to step onto the podium, capturing a selfie, followed by the rest of the team and coaching staff. Captain Suryakumar Yadav then playfully mimicked Rohit Sharma’s iconic T20 World Cup 2024 victory walk, celebrating India’s win with an imaginary trophy.
In the post-match press conference, Suryakumar slammed the ACC for withholding the trophy, stating: “I have never seen a champion team being denied a trophy, especially a hard-earned one.” Abhishek Sharma echoed his sentiments with a cheeky remark: “We actually got one — Surya bhai brought it! We felt it, we knew its weight.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha criticized the Indian team’s actions: “If he (Mohsin Naqvi) is the ACC president, then he will only give the trophy. If you don’t want to take it from him, how will you get a trophy?”
India Cricket Board secretary Devajit Saikia condemned the PCB’s actions: “We decided not to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the ACC chairman, who represents a country currently at odds with ours. That was our stance. But this does not give him the right to take the trophy and medals. It is extremely unfortunate and unsportsmanlike. We hope the trophy and medals are returned to India as soon as possible. We will launch a serious protest at the ICC conference in Dubai this November.”