Dubai, September 28, 2025 – In what should have been a night of pure celebration for Indian cricket, the Asia Cup 2025 final ended in both triumph and turmoil. India secured a five-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan to lift their ninth Asia Cup title, but the post-match scenes were dominated not by cheers, but by an extraordinary trophy controversy involving Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
A Match That Had Everything: Collapse, Fightback, and Glory
The much-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan lived up to its billing on the pitch. Pakistan, batting first after winning the toss, appeared comfortable at 72/2 before losing momentum against a disciplined Indian attack. Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/29 ripped through the middle and lower order, restricting Pakistan to 146 all out in 19 overs.
India’s chase began shakily, with early dismissals of Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, raising hopes for Pakistan. But Tilak Varma, calm under pressure, held firm. His unbeaten 69 runs off 52 balls, supported by Shivam Dube’s 32, steadied the innings. The finishing touch came from Rinku Singh, who smashed the winning boundary with just two balls left.
With that, India not only claimed the title but also extended its dominance over Pakistan in tournament finals. The match itself had all the ingredients of a classic – tension, momentum swings, and a nail-biting finish.
The Trophy Ceremony That Never Happened
If the match was gripping, what followed was unprecedented. Traditionally, the ACC President hands over the trophy to the winning captain. But in Dubai, things took a bizarre turn.
As Mohsin Naqvi walked onto the presentation stage, Indian players remained off the dais, sticking to their pre-declared position of not accepting the trophy from him. After an awkward silence and a delay of nearly an hour, Naqvi left the stage with the silverware in hand. Cameras captured him leaving with the trophy, sparking outrage and confusion among fans and officials alike.
To add a surreal twist, Indian players celebrated on the ground with an “invisible trophy”, mimicking the usual victory pose. Social media exploded with memes and mixed reactions – some praising India’s bold stand, others criticizing the politicization of sport.
Why Did India Refuse the Trophy?
Reports suggest the decision was rooted in growing tensions within the Asian Cricket Council. Sources claim Indian players and officials were unhappy with Naqvi’s handling of tournament logistics and his political position as Pakistan’s minister. The BCCI later confirmed that the team had communicated their stance to tournament officials before the final.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav voiced his disappointment afterward, saying:
“We played for our country, fought hard, and earned the trophy. But in the end, we were denied that moment on stage. It’s unfortunate.”
BCCI officials have indicated they will file a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC), arguing that players’ sentiments were ignored during the ceremony.
India wins the #AsiaCupFinal 2025 🏆💙
— Vijay Gautam 🚩 (@Vijay_Gautamm) September 28, 2025
Team India refuses to accept the Trophy from Pakistan Interior Minister & ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Someone just picked it up and walked off the ground! 🤯
Another Embarrassing Moment for 🇵🇰
📹 Video Out!#INDvsPAK #Tilak #AsiaCupFinal pic.twitter.com/uZ3t9G2zJ7
Backlash, Opinions, and Heated Debate
The incident has divided the cricketing world.
- Shoaib Malik, former Pakistan captain, criticized India, warning:
“This will haunt them. At the end of the day, cricket should rise above politics. A trophy is bigger than individuals.”
- Fans across both nations shared polarized views. Indian supporters applauded the players’ unity, while Pakistani fans accused India of disrespecting the sport.
- Neutral voices, including former cricketers and analysts, expressed concern that the incident sets a dangerous precedent for mixing political disputes with sporting traditions.
Meanwhile, Mohsin Naqvi has remained largely silent, though Pakistan’s cricket authorities downplayed the episode, terming it “an internal matter of the ACC.”
What This Means for Asian Cricket
The controversy has left the Asian Cricket Council in an awkward position. With the ACC President directly involved in politics, critics argue that cricket governance in the region is at risk of being politicized further.
For India, the night was bittersweet – their players performed brilliantly under pressure, yet their victory lap was overshadowed by an avoidable dispute. The players’ decision to mock-celebrate with an invisible trophy highlighted their frustration, but also left the global cricket community asking if the gesture crossed a line.
Looking ahead, the ICC may be forced to intervene, especially with the 2025 Champions Trophy around the corner. Questions about the role of administrators, neutrality, and the spirit of the game are bound to surface in upcoming cricketing forums.
A Win Remembered for the Wrong Reasons
On paper, the 2025 Asia Cup final should be remembered for Tilak Varma’s heroics, Kuldeep Yadav’s match-turning spell, and India’s resilience against Pakistan. Instead, history may remember it as the final where the Asia Cup trophy controversy stole the spotlight.
As fans debate whether India was right or wrong, one thing is clear – cricket lost a chance to celebrate a sporting classic without distractions. For Indian players, the missing trophy photo will always be a painful reminder of a night when politics overshadowed their hard-fought glory.