By News Karnataka Editorial Team

Copyright newskarnataka

In a dramatic and unprecedented turn of events, India, the Asia Cup 2025 champions, were not awarded the winners’ trophy after they reportedly refused to accept it from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The post-match presentation at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday night descended into chaos as the Suryakumar Yadav-led side chose to celebrate their five-wicket victory over Pakistan without the traditional silverware in hand.

Trophy handover dispute mars celebrations

India defeated Pakistan in a tense final, but the celebratory atmosphere soon gave way to confusion. The Indian players remained at a distance from the presentation dais after learning that Naqvi would be the one handing over the trophy. According to reports, the team was open to receiving the trophy from Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, who was also on stage, but Naqvi allegedly disallowed that option.

As Naqvi stood waiting to complete the ceremony, Indian players stayed within 15 yards of the podium and refused to move closer. The impasse stretched on for nearly an hour, with fans growing restless. Eventually, organisers carried the trophy inside the dressing room, denying the champions the moment of lifting it before the crowd.

Fans react with chants and boos

The delay saw Indian fans in the stands chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and booing Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha when he approached the stage to collect the runners-up prize. Despite the uproar, individual awards were still presented, but the trophy remained absent.

The unusual stand-off left fans stunned, with many taking to social media to express disbelief that a tournament of such stature ended without the symbolic trophy lift. Cricket experts called it a first in international cricket history.

Preceding signals of tension

The standoff did not emerge out of nowhere. Throughout the tournament, India and Pakistan displayed frosty relations. The Indian team reportedly refrained from shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts during all three encounters and also skipped the customary pre-toss group photographs.

Sources suggest that the Indian team management had already conveyed to ACC officials their unwillingness to accept the trophy directly from Naqvi, given his dual role as a Pakistan minister and the ACC chairman.

Naqvi’s controversial presence

Naqvi’s recent activities have fuelled controversy. In the lead-up to the final, he shared cryptic social media posts referencing Pakistan’s military claims against India, including videos mimicking Cristiano Ronaldo’s plane crash gesture celebration — interpreted by many as a political provocation.

The optics surrounding Naqvi’s presence at the presentation, therefore, added to the discomfort felt within the Indian camp. His refusal to step aside for an alternative presenter led to the eventual breakdown of the ceremony.

Pakistan players’ delayed appearance

Adding to the drama, Pakistan’s players stayed inside their dressing room for almost an hour after the match ended. Reports suggest they were reluctant to appear on stage while Naqvi stood alone waiting to hand over the trophy. When the team finally emerged, they were greeted with chants of “Indiaaaa, Indiaaaa” from the largely Indian crowd in Dubai.

A precedent in cricket history

The Asia Cup has witnessed its fair share of political undercurrents in the past, but never before has a champion team refused to collect the trophy. Sunday’s episode marks a first for international cricket, highlighting how off-field politics can overshadow sporting achievements.

India may have lifted the Asia Cup title on paper, but the absence of the winners’ trophy during the celebrations will remain a striking memory of the 2025 edition.

The incident underscores how cricket in the subcontinent continues to be influenced by political sensitivities. While India emerged champions on the field, the missing trophy ceremony will remain a stark reminder of unresolved tensions between the two nations