Asia Cup: Champions India refuse to collect trophy from Mohsin Naqvi

The Asia Cup 2025 concluded on Sunday night in Dubai not only with India defeating Pakistan by five wickets to claim their ninth title, but also with a dramatic twist at the presentation ceremony. Suryakumar Yadav’s team declined to accept the trophy on stage, taking a firm stance against the presence of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Mohsin Naqvi, who was among the dignitaries at the post-match event.  But in an unusual move, Naqvi took the Asia Cup Trophy and winning team medals with him.    BCCI's stand on not taking trophy from Mohsin Naqvi 

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the Indian team had refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, describing him as one of Pakistan’s key leaders.

 

 

“We decided not to take the trophy from him,” Saikia told ANI. “But that does not mean he can carry away the trophy and medals. It is very unfortunate, and we expect them to be returned to India at the earliest.”

 

Saikia added that the Board would raise the matter at the International Cricket Council’s conference scheduled in Dubai this November. “At the next meeting, we will lodge a very serious and strong protest against the act of the ACC chairperson,” he said.   

#WATCH | Mumbai | BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia says, "We have decided not to take the #AsiaCup2025 trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the main leaders of Pakistan. So we decided not to take it from him. But that does not mean that the gentleman will take… pic.twitter.com/ZdFy57obrM

— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2025

 

Trophy snub shocks audience

 

After a pulsating final in which India chased down Pakistan’s 146, with Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 and Shivam Dube’s quickfire 33 sealing the win, attention shifted to the presentation ceremony. An unusual delay of more than 70 minutes followed.

 

In a stunning turn, the Indian team collectively chose not to step forward and receive the silverware.

 

Simon Doull, presenter for broadcasters Sony Sports, announced after the award ceremony for match officials, runners-up Pakistan, and the players of the match and tournament that India would not collect their award.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. That concludes the post-match presentation,” he said. There was no interview with Suryakumar Yadav or trophy handover.

 

Individual awards still accepted

 

While the team refused the main trophy, some Indian players accepted their individual honours. Kuldeep Yadav, who took four wickets to trigger Pakistan’s collapse, along with Shivam Dube and Abhishek Sharma, collected their awards from other dignitaries before quickly leaving the podium.  Surya cries foul at the post-match press conference 

At the post-match press conference, India captain Suryakumar Yadav described the unprecedented scenes at the presentation as something he had never witnessed in his career.

 

“I have been playing and following cricket for years, but this is the first time I have seen a champion side not being handed its trophy, especially one earned through such hard work,” he said. “We felt we deserved it, and I don’t think there’s much more to add. For me, the real trophies are in the dressing room — the 14 teammates and the support staff who stood together through this Asia Cup journey.”

 

Suryakumar confirmed that the players collectively decided not to accept the silverware, emphasising that it was an independent choice. “No one asked us to do it. It was our decision as a team,” he added.

   

Political undertones

 

The gesture was not merely a sporting decision. It came against the backdrop of heightened Indo-Pak tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor earlier this year.

 

The Indian team had already signalled reluctance to engage in symbolic gestures with Pakistan during the tournament, refusing handshakes, skipping joint press interactions, and even avoiding the traditional captains’ photoshoot.

 

The boycott of the trophy presentation was the culmination of these simmering tensions, turning the Asia Cup final into a politically charged spectacle.

 

PM congratulates Team India

 

Back home, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the team for their resolve on and off the field. In his congratulatory message, he hailed the victory as a proud moment for the country and described their stance in Dubai as “Operation Sindoor on the games field”, drawing parallels with the earlier military action.  Who is Mohsin Naqvi?  Mohsin Naqvi is a Pakistani politician and media mogul who has served as the federal Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control since March 2024, and the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board since February 2024. He is also currently serving as the president of the Asian Cricket Council since April 2025. 

Why Indian team refuse to take trophy from Naqvi?  During Operation Sindoor, Mohsin Naqvi was critical of Indian armed forces. He use derogatory words for Indian army.  It was a foregone conclusion that India won't accept the trophy from Naqvi, who had posted cryptic videos of Cristiano Ronaldo's plane crash gesture celebrations which is a direct reference to the Pakistani claims that six Indian jets were downed during 'Operation Sindoor'.

 

Naqvi is also behind demanding that ICC charge Surya with a Level 4 offence for standing by the Indian Army and showing solidarity with victims of Pahalgam terror attack.

 

A final remembered for more than cricket

 

The cricket itself was gripping. Pakistan, powered by Sahibzada Farhan’s 57 and Fakhar Zaman’s 46, reached 113/1 in 12.4 overs before collapsing spectacularly to 146 all out, losing nine wickets for 33 runs. India’s chase, too, saw tense moments, but Varma’s composure under pressure ensured their triumph.

 

Yet the Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered less for Varma’s heroics and more for the symbolism at the presentation ceremony. By refusing to accept the trophy from Naqvi, Team India turned a sporting final into a statement of national pride, underscoring once again that when India and Pakistan meet, the contest is never just about bat and ball.  India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 final full scorecard