India Refuses Asia Cup Trophy From ACC Chief Mohsin Naqvi After Thrilling Final Win
India refuses Asia Cup Trophy after a dramatic standoff with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The unprecedented incident unfolded at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, shortly after India’s nail-biting five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup final.
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A Historic Final Overshadowed by Politics
The highly anticipated final witnessed a tense chase, with India successfully overhauling Pakistan’s 147-run target in the last over. The packed Dubai crowd roared as skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s men sealed the win, but celebrations quickly gave way to confusion when the post-match presentation ceremony began.
According to sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had already informed ACC representatives that the Indian team would not accept the trophy if Mohsin Naqvi insisted on presenting it. Naqvi, who has often been critical of India and has made controversial political statements in the past, took the stage amid loud boos and chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” from Indian fans.
Instead of the usual celebratory moment, the ceremony ended abruptly. Presenter Simon Doull read out a statement: “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.”
Trophy Taken Away, Indian Team Boycotts Naqvi
The bizarre turn of events saw individual awards handed to standout players — Tilak Varma (Player of the Match), Kuldeep Yadav (Best Bowler), Shivam Dube (valuable contributions), and Abhishek Sharma (Player of the Tournament). However, when the moment arrived for the Indian team to lift the Asia Cup Trophy, the organizers quietly removed the silverware from the stage.
Reports suggest the trophy was later carried directly into the Indian dressing room, avoiding a direct face-off with Naqvi. This marks one of the rarest occasions in cricket history where champions celebrated without formally receiving their trophy on stage.
Also read: India Vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav Skips Handshake, Dedicates Win To Armed Forces
Growing Tensions Throughout the Tournament
Tensions between the two sides were visible from the start of the Asia Cup 2025. In the group-stage match earlier this month, Indian players avoided the customary handshake with their Pakistani counterparts, sparking criticism from the PCB. Ahead of the final, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to attend the trophy photoshoot, leaving Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha to pose alone.
On the night of the final, the Pakistan team reportedly delayed the presentation by nearly an hour, refusing to leave the dressing room after their loss. When they eventually came out, Indian spectators booed loudly, adding to the drama.
Political Undertones in Cricket Diplomacy
BJP leader Amit Malviya also weighed in, stating on social media that India’s refusal to accept the trophy from Naqvi was deliberate. He described Naqvi as a “propagandist for the terror state that Pakistan is” and said India had “slammed Pakistan both on the field and off it.”
Naqvi, already under scrutiny for past remarks, was further embarrassed as Indian players stood firm in their protest. A senior BCCI official confirmed that if Naqvi had forced himself to present the trophy, India would have lodged an official protest with the ACC.
While India’s thrilling win will go down as one of the greatest Asia Cup finals, the ceremony chaos has sparked debate over politics overshadowing cricket. The refusal to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi not only highlighted India’s strong stance against PCB leadership but also exposed deepening rifts in cricket diplomacy between the two nations.
Despite the controversy, Indian fans in Dubai remained jubilant, chanting for the team and celebrating their dominance over Pakistan. The focus now shifts to how the ACC responds to the diplomatic row and whether BCCI formally seeks Naqvi’s removal as the council’s chairman.
