Dubai, September 28, 2025 – The Asia Cup 2025 ended with an unusual controversy as the Indian cricket team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief.
India had clinched the Asia Cup title after defeating Pakistan in a thrilling final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. However, the celebrations quickly turned sour when, reportedly on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the players declined to take the trophy directly from Naqvi. Despite mounting pressure, Naqvi stood firm, maintaining that he alone would present the winning trophy.
The ceremony eventually concluded without the trophy being awarded to the Men in Blue, a rare moment in cricket history. While India’s stance overshadowed the celebration, Pakistan’s team showed grace by attending the medal presentation and accepting the runners-up prize.
According to insiders, this move was consistent with India’s hardline position throughout the tournament, where the team demanded separate arrangements instead of neutral protocols. The closing ceremony itself was delayed by more than an hour. Individual honors were distributed, with Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Tilak Varma receiving awards for their performances, while Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha collected the runners-up cheque. Kuldeep later received the Best Bowler award, and opener Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Tournament.
Adding to the controversy, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav once again refused to shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss, repeating a snub that began in the group stage. These incidents underline the growing off-field tensions between India and Pakistan, casting a shadow over what was otherwise a memorable tournament finale.