India’s Asia Cup 2025 victory over Pakistan was overshadowed on Sunday night in Dubai after the team refused to accept the trophy at the presentation ceremony. The protest, which delayed proceedings by more than an hour, was directed at Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan’s interior minister.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told ANI that the players had decided not to take the trophy from Naqvi. “We have decided not to take the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the main political leaders of Pakistan. But that does not mean the gentleman will take away the trophy with him along with the medals. It is very unfortunate and we hope that the trophy and medals will be returned to India as soon as possible,” Saikia said. He added that India would lodge a strong protest at the ICC conference in Dubai in November.
The final, which India won by five wickets in a thrilling last-over finish, ended around 10.30pm Dubai time. The presentation was eventually held close to midnight, with players collecting only individual awards from other officials. Pakistan captain Salman Agha accepted the runners-up cheque before the ceremony concluded without a trophy handover.
Presenter Simon Doull told the crowd, “I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation.”
At the post-match press conference, India captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed disappointment. “I think this is one thing I have never seen since I started playing cricket. A champion team being denied a trophy, that too a hard-earned one. I feel we deserved it. My trophies are sitting in the dressing room, all the 14 guys with me and the support staff. Those are the real trophies throughout this journey in the Asia Cup,” he said. Suryakumar confirmed that the decision had been made collectively by the players and not under instruction.
During the ceremony, the India players who received individual awards did so without acknowledging Naqvi, while he in turn refrained from applauding them. Pakistan players later collected their medals before Agha posed with the runners-up cheque. Once officials left the stage, the Indian team celebrated on the podium, lifting an imaginary trophy in front of their supporters.
India’s refusal to accept the trophy was in line with their stance throughout the tournament. Players did not shake hands with Pakistan cricketers in any of the three encounters, either before or after matches. The rivalry escalated further after heated exchanges in the Super Fours stage, with Suryakumar fined for comments following the first game and Haris Rauf sanctioned for his conduct in the second.
The trophy controversy is likely to fuel further tensions between the two boards, with India set to raise the matter formally at the ICC’s upcoming meeting in November.