India’s cricket team created controversy by refusing to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the Asian Cricket Council and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi after their victory over Pakistan in Dubai.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the team not to accept the award, resulting in a ceremony without a trophy and heightened off-field tensions.
Pakistan’s players showed sportsmanship and accepted their runners-up medals after an hour-long delay. India’s standout performers were Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Tilak Varma, with Kuldeep as the top wicket-taker. Abhishek Sharma scored 314 runs and received Player of the Tournament honours. Presenter Simon Doull announced, “The Indian team will not be collecting their awards tonight,” ending the event without India taking the trophy.
Team India celebrated its Asia Cup win without the trophy, after they refused to accept it from PCB and ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi. #INDvPAK @IrfanPathan @DHONIism pic.twitter.com/egNQLQZGcY
— Khalil Pathan (@aV7oBFJqQuc9BeJ) September 28, 2025Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav avoided questions about the team’s decision and a handshake snub with Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha. He said, “We were never told anything about the trophy,” and added, “We felt the trophy in spirit.” His brief answers frustrated reporters. The mood worsened when the Indian media manager blocked a Pakistani journalist’s question.
The BCCI’s decision reflects India’s firm stance on tournaments, including its refusal to participate in handshakes and its demand for neutral arrangements. Reports from Geo News confirmed, “The trophy will not be handed over to India.” Chairman Mohsin Naqvi insisted on presenting the trophy himself, underscoring the rivalry.
Seventy per cent of cricket fans worldwide witnessed the trophy refusal (Nielsen, 2025). This incident overshadowed India’s historic win, the first Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan in over 40 years. According to a Cricinfo poll, 65% of fans worry about politics affecting cricket. The topic has sparked global conversations about sportsmanship and rivalry.
