India Denies To Take Asia Cup Trophy From Mohsin Naqvi; ACC President Runs Away With The Medals As Well

The Asia Cup 2025 final at Dubai International Stadium was supposed to be remembered for cricketing excellence. Instead, while India defeated Pakistan to clinch yet another continental crown, the post-match trophy presentation collapsed into unprecedented chaos.

The sight of India’s victorious players standing on stage without the trophy or medals, after officials from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) walked away with the silverware, has stunned the cricketing world and sparked one of the biggest controversies in the history of the tournament.

India’s Triumph Overshadowed

On the field, India once again proved their supremacy in Asian cricket. Led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, the Men in Blue outplayed their arch-rivals in every department to lift their ninth Asia Cup title.

Abhishek Sharma, the breakout star of the tournament, smashed a blistering half-century.
Kuldeep Yadav continued his golden run with the ball, taking crucial middle-over wickets.
India’s fielding was sharp, with Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya leading by example.

The final ended with India securing a comfortable victory, sealing what should have been a night of celebration. Yet, as the players lined up for the traditional medal and trophy ceremony, the script veered off into extraordinary controversy.

Why the Trophy Handover Collapsed

The presentation was delayed by nearly an hour. Confusion and murmurs spread through the crowd as players, fans, and broadcasters waited. Eventually, word emerged that India had refused to accept the trophy from ACC President and PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi.

India’s Stand

According to reports, the BCCI had communicated before the match that it was unwilling to accept the trophy directly from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister.

The BCCI requested that Khalid Al Zarooni, Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, conduct the handover instead. Their stance was clear: given the “ongoing national and cricketing tensions”, Indian players were uncomfortable being photographed in what they believed would be a politically symbolic gesture.

Naqvi’s Refusal

Naqvi, however, stood firm. He insisted that as the ACC President, it was his protocol and responsibility to hand over the trophy. Multiple rounds of backstage negotiations reportedly failed.

Finally, in scenes broadcast live, Naqvi, flanked by PCB and ACC officials, walked away from the stage carrying the trophy and medals.

The stunned Indian players were left to take a team photo without the silverware, an image now etched in cricket history as a symbol of chaos and defiance.

BCCI’s Furious Response

In the aftermath, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia issued a scathing statement:

“This is the first time in my career that a team has been denied the trophy after winning a major international tournament. It is unsportsmanlike and deeply unfortunate. The players earned this moment, but they were not allowed to live it.”

Saikia confirmed that the BCCI would file a formal protest at the upcoming ICC conference, demanding that the trophy and medals be delivered immediately to India.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav echoed the sentiment in the post-match press briefing:

“We play cricket for the love of the game, not for drama. Our team deserved to celebrate with the trophy in front of our fans. That moment was stolen from us.”

Pakistan and ACC’s Defense

In contrast, officials from Pakistan and the ACC defended their actions. Their statement emphasized:

Protocol dictated that the ACC President should always conduct the presentation.
India’s request to sideline Naqvi was “unprecedented and impractical.”
The decision to leave with the trophy was made to “protect the dignity of the office.”

Yet, even in Pakistan, reactions were divided. While some praised Naqvi for standing firm, others criticized him for allowing politics to overshadow cricket.

Fans React With Outrage

On social media, fans across South Asia expressed fury and disbelief.

Indian supporters described it as a “new low” in cricket relations, with hashtags like #ReturnTheTrophy and #ShameOnACC trending worldwide.
Pakistani fans defended Naqvi but also lamented that the gesture overshadowed what had been a thrilling tournament.
Neutral fans, meanwhile, were left shaking their heads at how the “gentleman’s game” had descended into a spectacle of boardroom politics.

Prominent voices in the cricketing fraternity also weighed in.

Sunil Gavaskar called it “an embarrassment to world cricket.”
Wasim Akram admitted: “It was avoidable. The game should never end like this.”
Michael Vaughan tweeted: “Imagine winning a major trophy and not being allowed to lift it. Extraordinary scenes in Dubai.”

The Symbolism of the Trophy

The trophy lift in cricket is more than just ceremony—it is the defining image of triumph. From Kapil Dev at Lord’s in 1983 to MS Dhoni at Wankhede in 2011, these moments symbolize national pride.

For India to be denied that act after beating Pakistan in a high-pressure Asia Cup final has touched a raw nerve. Analysts argue it will deepen mistrust between the BCCI and PCB, already locked in disagreements over bilateral series and tournament hosting.

The Broader Context: A Tournament Full of Tensions

The Asia Cup 2025 was already one of the most controversial editions in the competition’s history:

On-field altercations: Abhishek Sharma clashed with Haris Rauf earlier in the Super 4s, nearly leading to a physical confrontation.
Provocative celebrations: Sahibzada Farhan’s gun-mimicking gesture and Rauf’s airplane sign triggered disciplinary hearings.
Verbal volleys: Irfan Pathan publicly warned Pakistan’s players that India would “answer with the bat.”
Administrative tussles: The BCCI and ACC clashed over scheduling and match venues in the lead-up to the tournament.

Against this backdrop, the final’s post-match fiasco seems almost inevitable—a culmination of weeks of simmering tensions.

What Happens Next?

The immediate question is simple: Where is the trophy now?

Reports suggest it remains in the custody of the ACC, currently held in Dubai. The BCCI has demanded that it be flown to India before the team’s return, while ACC insiders hint at the possibility of a neutral handover ceremony later this week.

Longer term, the incident could have far-reaching consequences:

India may push for governance reforms in the ACC, potentially challenging Pakistan’s hold on the presidency.
ICC may be forced to create clearer guidelines for trophy presentations, ensuring politics does not derail future events.
Players themselves may seek greater say in ceremonial matters, having been caught in the crossfire this time.

A Night of Contrasts

On the field, India’s victory in the Asia Cup 2025 final was emphatic and well-deserved. Off the field, however, the night descended into chaos that overshadowed the sport.

The image of Indian players posing without a trophy after beating Pakistan is one that will linger—an emblem of both triumph and turmoil.

Cricket fans deserved a celebration. Instead, they were handed a controversy. The hope now is that the ICC and ACC act swiftly to repair the damage, return the trophy, and ensure such a fiasco never repeats itself.

Until then, the Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered not just for Abhishek Sharma’s batting or Kuldeep Yadav’s wickets—but for the trophy that wasn’t lifted.

Please check for information on the best betting sites in India – https://selectory.org/best-betting-sites/