India clinched their ninth Asia Cup title in a thrilling final against Pakistan, but the victory was quickly overshadowed by a post-match controversy. The Indian team refused to accept the winner's trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi. Following this, Naqvi reportedly walked away with the trophy and medals, leaving the Indian team without the silverware.
The decision to refuse the trophy was reportedly due to Naqvi's position as a serving minister in the Pakistani government and his perceived anti-India stance. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that India could not accept the trophy from a representative of a country "waging a war" against India. He condemned Naqvi's actions of taking the trophy and medals, calling it "totally unexpected" and stated that the BCCI would lodge a formal protest with the ICC.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed his disappointment at the situation. He stated he had never seen a champion team being denied their trophy. However, he also emphasized that the "real trophies" were his teammates and support staff. He downplayed the impact of the off-field drama on the team's performance, saying the team was focused on playing cricket and enjoying themselves. In a heartfelt gesture, Yadav announced he would donate his match fees to the Indian armed forces.
The controversy has sparked outrage and criticism from fans and former players. Many have condemned India's actions as "unsporting" and accused them of politicizing the game. Pakistan captain Salman Agha criticized India for disrespecting the sport by refusing to shake hands and accept the trophy from Naqvi. He argued that India's actions were disrespectful not only to Pakistan but also to the game of cricket itself.
Despite the controversy, India's on-field performance was commendable. They remained undefeated throughout the tournament, defeating Pakistan in all three encounters. In the final, India chased down a target of 147 with two balls to spare, securing a five-wicket victory. Tilak Varma played a crucial innings, scoring an unbeaten 69 off 53 balls. Shivam Dube also contributed with a quickfire 33 off 22 balls. Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 30 runs.
The BCCI announced a cash reward of ₹21 crore for the Indian team and support staff for their Asia Cup victory. The Asia Cup 2025 winners were set to receive $300,000 (approximately ₹2.6 crore), a significant increase from previous editions. The runner-up, Pakistan, would receive $150,000 (approximately ₹1.3 crore).
The Asia Cup 2025 final was marred by controversy, overshadowing India's victory. While Suryakumar Yadav and his team celebrated their win, the absence of the trophy presentation and the ensuing reactions have added a bitter aftertaste to what should have been a moment of pure triumph.
