New Delhi: The Asia Cup 2025 ended in a storm of politics and cricketing drama as Team India refused to accept the winner’s trophy from Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi after their five-wicket triumph over Pakistan on Sunday night.
The glittering presentation ceremony turned chaotic after an hour-long delay—caused by Pakistan’s team sulking in the dressing room—when Indian players bluntly declined to take the trophy from Naqvi. As he stood on stage, chants of “Bharat Maata Ki Jai” rang out from Indian fans still in the stands.
According to reports, Naqvi eventually walked away with the trophy and medals, leaving India’s victorious squad celebrating without silverware in hand.
Team India celebrated its Asia Cup win without the trophy, after they refused to accept it from PCB and ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi. #INDvPAK @IrfanPathan @DHONIism pic.twitter.com/egNQLQZGcY
— Khalil Pathan (@aV7oBFJqQuc9BeJ) September 28, 2025
BCCI Hits Back
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed India’s stand:
“We decided not to take the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the ACC chairman, who also happens to be a top leader of Pakistan. That doesn’t mean he should walk away with the trophy and medals. It’s very unfortunate. We expect them to be returned immediately,” Saikia told ANI.
He added that a strong protest will be lodged at the upcoming ICC conference in Dubai this November.
Political Undertones
The standoff was fuelled by Naqvi’s controversial social media activity in recent months. Sources revealed that Indian cricketers were particularly incensed by his reposts of images showing Pakistani cricketers in flight suits with fighter jets in the background, and another of Cristiano Ronaldo linked to a crashing plane—widely seen as mocking India after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor.
Asia Cup 2025: Cold War on the Pitch
This edition of the Asia Cup was already politically charged. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav not only refused the customary pre-toss photo with Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha but also avoided post-match handshakes across all three Indo-Pak encounters.
Sunday’s final, India’s first clash with Pakistan since the Pahalgam attack, ended with a convincing five-wicket win for the Men in Blue—but without the trophy in their hands.
President, PM Hail Team India’s Asia Cup Triumph
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lauded Team India for clinching the Asia Cup 2025 title in Dubai.
In a social media post, President Murmu extended her “heartiest congratulations” to the players and wished the team “sustained glory in the future.”
My heartiest congratulations to Team India for winning the Asia Cup cricket tournament. The team did not lose any match in the tournament, marking its dominance in the game. I wish Team India sustained glory in the future.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 28, 2025
Prime Minister Modi struck a more combative tone, likening India’s victory over Pakistan in the final to Operation Sindoor.
#OperationSindoor on the games field.
Outcome is the same – India wins!
Congrats to our cricketers.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 28, 2025
“Operation Sindoor on the game field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers,” the Prime Minister posted.
The remarks came a day after India’s five-wicket win in a politically charged final against Pakistan that saw the Men in Blue refusing to accept the trophy from Pakistan’s Interior Minister and ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi.
