India refuse to accept Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi

By Admin

29 Sep, 2025

The Asia Cup 2025 ended in controversy as India, after defeating Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling final in Dubai, refused to accept the championship trophy. The presentation ceremony, delayed by over an hour, became the center of attention after the Indian team declined to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi   who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s Interior Minister.

BCCI’s Strong Stance

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the decision, stating:
“We have decided not to take the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the main leaders of Pakistan. But that does not mean that the gentleman will take away the trophy with him, along with the medals. So it is very unfortunate and we hope that the trophy and the medals will be returned to India as soon as possible.”

He further added that India would launch a formal protest during the ICC conference in November in Dubai, describing the situation as “very serious and very strong.”

A Ceremony Without a Trophy

The match concluded around 10:30 pm local time, but the ceremony dragged on until nearly midnight. Presenter Simon Doull announced that the Indian team would not be collecting their awards, effectively ending the event abruptly. While Indian players like Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma collected their individual awards from other dignitaries, they made it a point not to acknowledge Naqvi on stage.

In contrast, Pakistan captain Salman Agha collected the runners-up cheque directly from Naqvi, marking a stark divide in the atmosphere.

Suryakumar Yadav Reacts

Speaking at the post-match press conference, India captain Suryakumar Yadav voiced his disappointment:
“I think this is one thing which I have never seen since I started playing cricket, started following cricket, that a champion team is denied a trophy, that too a hard-earned one. I feel we deserved it… If you tell me about trophies, my trophies are sitting in the dressing room, all the 14 guys with me, the support staff, those are the real trophies throughout this journey in the Asia Cup.”

He clarified that the decision to boycott the presentation was entirely the team’s choice: “No one told us to do it.”

Imaginary Celebrations

As the chaos unfolded, an official quietly removed the Asia Cup trophy from the stage without explanation. With no trophy in sight, the Indian team took matters into their own hands. On the podium, they lifted an “imaginary trophy” to the cheers of their supporters, celebrating their hard-fought victory in symbolic defiance.

Rising Tensions Between India and Pakistan

This was not the first display of frostiness between the two teams during the tournament. India had already refused handshakes with their rivals in all three encounters, both at the toss and after the matches. Heated exchanges in the Super Fours further escalated matters, with fines handed out to Suryakumar Yadav and Haris Rauf for their on-field conduct.

What Lies Ahead

The Asia Cup 2025 may have ended with India on top, but the fallout has only just begun. The refusal to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi underscores the deep political and sporting tensions between the two nations. With the ICC conference scheduled in November, the cricketing world will be watching closely as India takes its protest to the global stage.

For now, the image of Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates lifting an “imaginary trophy” will remain etched in memory  a symbolic moment that spoke louder than words.