The Asia Cup 2025 concluded in Dubai under an unexpected cloud of controversy, as the Indian cricket team refused to receive the tournament trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
India, having defeated Pakistan in the final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, reportedly acted on instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), citing discomfort with Naqvi presenting the trophy. Despite pressure from the ACC, Naqvi stood firm, and the Men in Blue left the ground without the trophy handover.
Pakistan, finishing as runners-up, maintained their composure, collecting medals and prize money. The closing ceremony, delayed by an hour, saw individual awards handed to standout performers, including India’s Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, and Player of the Tournament Abhishek Sharma. Salman Ali Agha collected Pakistan’s runner-up cheque, and Kuldeep also received recognition as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker.
ACC presenter Simon Doull confirmed the ceremony concluded without India collecting the trophy, stating, “I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation.”
The tensions escalated on the field as well, with Indian captain Kuldeep Yadav refusing a customary handshake with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha at the toss, marking the third such snub in the tournament. Post-match, Yadav avoided questions regarding sportsmanship and the missing trophy, stating vaguely, “We felt the trophy in spirit.”
The incident sparked disappointment among fans, journalists, and cricketing authorities, casting a shadow over what was otherwise a high-profile, closely contested tournament. The controversy underscores continuing off-field tensions between the two arch-rivals, despite Pakistan’s demonstration of sportsmanship throughout the Asia Cup.