Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal expressed his anger over India’s refusal to accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Akmal urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to “never play India” following the trophy controversy.
Indian players skipped customary handshakes with their Pakistan counterparts during the three matches. The Men in Blue also didn’t collect the trophy after winning. Notably, the Pakistani cricket community expressed displeasure after Suryakumar Yadav and the team declined to accept the trophy from Naqvi.
We Should Never Play Against India – Mohsin Naqvi
Mohsin Naqvi is Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB Chairman. The BCCI communicated its stance to the ACC before the final. The trophy ceremony was delayed for over an hour, but the Indian team left without collecting the awards or trophy.
Kamran Akmal stated that India’s behavior was damaging to cricket and added that the PCB should declare they will no longer play against India.
“These cheap harkatein (behaviour) we shall keep seeing from India. We have seen in this tournament they have done as much damage to cricket as they could. PCB and ACC president took the right stand – take the trophy or not, it will be given by the president only. India will become the joke of the cricketing world,” Akmal told ARY News.
“Pakistan board should immediately say that ‘we should never play against India’. Let’s see what action ICC takes. What else evidence do you need after this?” he added.
The BCCI Person Is Leading the ICC – Kamran Akmal
Kamran Akmal questioned the ICC over addressing the dispute between India and Pakistan. Akmal stated that a neutral committee, comprising representatives from countries like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, should be formed to decide on appropriate actions.
“But the BCCI person is leading the ICC – how will he [Jay Shah] take any action? The other boards have to come together, say we can’t see this in cricket. Sports is not played at anyone’s home. If others don’t play them, then no money is going to come,” Akmal stated.
“The earlier these things can be controlled, the better for everybody. A neutral body has to be formed without Pakistan and India, make a committee of Australian, South African, New Zealand and let them decide on what action to be taken about all that has happened in this tournament,” he added.
India Refuses Trophy From Mohsin Naqvi Before Asia Cup 2025 Final
Even before the final began, it was clear India would not accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi. However, Naqvi blocked efforts by ACC officials and Emirates Cricket Board chairman Khalid Al Zarooni.
Earlier this year, terrorists killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam, Kashmir. India then launched Operation Sindoor against terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Fans and former cricketers urged the BCCI to boycott all sporting ties with Pakistan.
However, the BCCI revealed its stance to play Pakistan in multinational tournaments. Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, and Suryakumar Yadav skipped the captain’s photoshoot before the final.
After India’s group-stage win, Yadav dedicated the victory to the Indian Armed Forces. He donated his match fees from the tournament to the Army following the final.