Why India Didn’t Collect the Asia Cup Trophy?
It was a significant development since last night.
If you watched the Asia Cup final last night, you witnessed something even seasoned cricket experts have never seen: a championship team celebrating without the trophy.
While India beat Pakistan by five wickets in a pulsating final to claim their ninth Asia Cup title, an extraordinary off-field decision overshadowed the victory. The Indian team refused to collect the Asia Cup trophy from the presenter, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi.
The following article will explain the circumstances surrounding this distinctive moment by examining the interplay between sports and politics. It will explain what happened in Dubai and discuss what it means for the future of one of sports’ biggest rivalries.
Table of Contents
Why India Didn’t Collect the Trophy
The Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan concluded with a dramatic Indian victory, but what followed was even more remarkable. Here’s a breakdown of the events that led to the trophy not being awarded to the champions.
- The Refusal and The Official Reason: The Indian team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the decision, stating that they would not take the trophy from someone who is “one of the main leaders of Pakistan.” The Indian board viewed accepting the trophy from a senior Pakistani political figure as inappropriate, given the tense relations between the two nations.
- The Delayed and Unusual Ceremony: The post-match presentation was delayed by over an hour as officials tried to resolve the impasse. Commentator Ravi Shastri, on air, called the situation “ridiculous” as players and fans were left waiting. When the ceremony finally began, presenter Simon Doull announced, “I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight”. The Pakistani players received their runners-up medals, but the winner’s trophy was notably absent. In a surreal scene, the Indian players celebrated their title by holding up an imaginary trophy during their photo session.
- A Planned Stance, Not a Spontaneous Decision: This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Reports indicate the BCCI had informed ACC officials beforehand that their team would not accept the trophy from Naqvi. The Indian team was reportedly willing to receive the trophy from another dignitary, such as the Vice Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, Khalid Al Zarooni, who was also on the dais. However, Naqvi, as ACC chairman, insisted on presenting the award himself, leading to the stalemate.
The Deeper Context
The trophy refusal in yesterday’s cricket match did not occur in a nothingness. It was the culmination of weeks of escalating tensions during a tournament played against the backdrop of recent military conflicts between the two nations.
- A Tournament Without Handshakes: Throughout the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian team maintained a consistent policy of not shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts, either at the toss or after the match. Pakistan captain Salman Agha remarked that this was a “disrespect to cricket,” not just to his team.
- Political Provocations and Symbolism: The political undertones were amplified by social media activity from the Pakistani side. According to reports, ACC chief Naqvi had previously reposted images on X (formerly Twitter) of Pakistani cricketers in flight suits with images of fighter jets in the background, a clear reference to the recent military clashes. He had also posted a picture of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo depicting a crashing plane. The Indian camp saw these actions as deliberate provocations.
- Official Reactions and Solidarity: The political dimension was further emphasized by reactions from India’s highest leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted after the victory, invoking “#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins!” Additionally, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav announced he would be donating his entire match fees from the tournament to the Indian Army.
A Cricket Finale to Recall
Amidst the off-field drama, yesterday’s match between these two arch-rivals was a thrilling contest that deserved its own spotlight. The Asia Cup final winner was decided in a match filled with dramatic momentum shifts.
- Pakistan’s Spectacular Collapse: Put in to bat, Pakistan was cruising at 113/1, thanks to a strong 84-run opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46). They seemed headed for a total above 180. However, the innings unraveled spectacularly as Indian spinners, led by the brilliant Kuldeep Yadav, triggered a stunning collapse. Pakistan lost their last nine wickets for just 33 runs, being bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs. Kuldeep was the top destroyer, finishing with figures of 4/30, including a game-changing three-wicket 17th over.
- India’s Nervy Chase and Varma’s Heroism: India’s chase began disastrously, slumping to 20/3 within the powerplay, silencing the pro-Indian crowd. With the top order back in the pavilion, the match was on a knife-edge. Then, Tilak Varma played what might be the most important innings of his career. Showing immense poise under pressure, he scored an unbeaten 69 from 53 balls, anchoring the innings and shepherding the lower order. He built crucial partnerships with Sanju Samson (24) and Shivam Dube (33), who hit two vital sixes. The chase went down to the final over, with Rinku Singh hitting the winning boundary to seal a five-wicket victory.
Key Performances in the Asia Cup 2025 Final
| Player | Team | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Tilak Varma | India | 69* (53 balls), Player of the Match |
| Kuldeep Yadav | India | 4/30, including 3 wickets in one over |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | 57 (38 balls) |
| Shivam Dube | India | 33 (22 balls) & 3/0/23 with the ball |
| Abhishek Sharma | India | Player of the Tournament (314 runs) |
Last Words
The question of “why didn’t India get the trophy?” has been answered, but the story is far from over. The BCCI has announced it will lodge a “very serious and very strong protest” against Mohsin Naqvi at the next ICC meeting in November.
The trophy and winner’s medals were physically taken away from the venue by ACC staff, with the BCCI secretary expressing hope they would be returned to India soon.
The Asia Cup final winner was decided on the field, but the events in Dubai underscore how the India-Pakistan rivalry transcends sport. The refusal to take the trophy marks a new low in the cricketing relations between the two countries.
It leaves fans wondering about the future of this iconic contest. While the Indian team proved themselves champions with an unbeaten campaign, the lingering image is of a celebration without the silverware—a powerful and somber reminder that when India and Pakistan meet, the stakes are always much higher than just a game of cricket.
What are your thoughts on this unprecedented event? Do you believe the line between sport and politics has been irreversibly crossed, or was this a necessary stand?
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My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
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