India Wins Asia Cup but Refuses Trophy from Naqvi

India Wins Asia Cup but Refuses Trophy from Naqvi

No Handshakes, No Off-field Talks, and No Trophies From Them

CNB World Times

India, 29^th Sep, 2025: India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday. It was India’s ninth Asia Cup title. The match was thrilling, but what happened after the game surprised everyone.

The Indian team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy. Normally, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman gives the cup to the winning team. This year, the ACC chairman is Mohsin Naqvi. He is also the chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the interior minister of Pakistan.

India had already made a decision before the final. They said they would not interact with any Pakistani official. That meant no handshakes, no off-field talks, and no trophies from them. The team stood together on this point.

After the match, the players waited on one side. Naqvi was on the stage with other guests. There was a delay of over an hour. The trophy could not be given because the Indians rejected it. Finally, Naqvi left the stage with the trophy and medals.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav spoke later. He said he had never seen such a thing in his cricket life. He added that the team deserved the trophy but could not take it under those conditions. He also announced that he would donate his full match fee to the Indian Army.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) supported the team’s stand. Secretary Devajit Saikia said the decision was not sudden. He explained that India would not accept an award from someone who represents a country acting against India.

The incident has started a big debate. Many in India praised the team’s strong stand. But some former Pakistan players criticised the move. They felt it was wrong to mix politics with cricket.

This controversy again shows how tense India-Pakistan relations are, even in sports. India and Pakistan have not played a regular cricket series since 2008. They only face each other in multi-nation events like the Asia Cup or World Cup.

While the trophy was left behind, the Indian victory on the field still shines bright. The players celebrated with their fans, proving that the win mattered more than the silverware.