Dubai, UAE (Sept 29, 2025) – In a stunning turn of events after winning the Asia Cup 2025 final, the Indian cricket team did not lift the winner’s trophy due to an off-field political dispute. India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final on Sunday, yet refused to collect the trophy at the presentation ceremony because the chief guest was Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi – who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and a minister in the Pakistani government. This unprecedented protest, rooted in ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, meant that a champion team ended the night without a trophy in hand.
Trophy Ceremony Boycott in Dubai
The post-match presentation in Dubai was delayed by over an hour amid speculation of behind-the-scenes wrangling. It soon emerged that Team India was boycotting the trophy presentation rather than receive the Cup from Naqvi. When the ceremony finally began close to midnight, Indian players did step up to collect individual awards (like player-of-match honors) from other officials, pointedly ignoring Naqvi’s presence on stage. Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha accepted the runners-up cheque, but the Indian side stood aside and declined to take the winner’s trophy from Naqvi. According to reports, Indian team management had even requested a neutral official (the Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman) to present the trophy instead, but **ACC President Naqvi insisted on doing it himself and ordered that the trophy be removed when India wouldn’t budge.
In surreal scenes, an ACC official took the golden trophy off the podium and walked away with it, ending the presentation without a trophy being handed over. Naqvi and other ACC dignitaries then left the stadium, leaving the Indian players and fans bewildered. The Indian squad eventually climbed the podium and celebrated their title win with an “invisible” trophy – holding up an imaginary cup to mark their victory. “I have never seen a champion team being denied a trophy, that too a hard-earned one,” India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav said afterward, expressing disbelief at the bizarre finish. Despite the awkward ceremony, Yadav added that the real trophies were his teammates and support staff: “All the 14 guys with me, the support staff – those are the real trophies throughout this journey”.
Political Tensions Spill onto Cricket
This trophy snub did not arise in isolation. The Asia Cup tournament had been marred by political tension between the arch-rivals from the start. In earlier matches, the Indian team notably avoided the customary handshakes with Pakistani players at toss and after the games, as a form of silent protest. They even skipped the pre-match team photos with Pakistan. These actions reflected the strained relations between New Delhi and Islamabad, which have spilled over into cricket. Having an influential Pakistani political figure like Mohsin Naqvi present the trophy was seen as unacceptable by the Indian side. “We have decided not to take the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the main political leaders of Pakistan,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia explained of the team’s stance. According to Saikia, the Indian players were unwilling to receive the prize from an official representing “a country currently at odds with ours”.
Naqvi’s insistence on presiding over the ceremony turned the situation into a diplomatic standoff at the Dubai International Stadium. Indian supporters in the crowd booed when Naqvi was announced, chanting patriotic slogans, while Pakistani fans watched in confusion. Eventually, Naqvi reportedly left the venue with the trophy and winners’ medals in his possession, rather than allowing any alternate presentation. The Pakistan team, which had initially retreated to the dressing room in disappointment, returned for their medals but even their captain showed frustration – Salman Agha flung aside the runners-up cheque after receiving it amid the chaos.
BCCI Slams ‘Unsportsmanlike’ Act, To Protest at ICC
Indian cricket authorities have strongly condemned how the situation was handled. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) criticized ACC chief Naqvi’s actions as “extremely unfortunate and unsportsmanlike”. “That was our stance – not to accept the trophy from him. But this does not give him the right to take the trophy and medals away,” Secretary Devajit Saikia said, expressing dismay that India’s players were essentially denied the chance to lift the trophy they earned. The BCCI announced it will file a formal protest with the International Cricket Council. “We will launch a very serious protest at the ICC conference in Dubai this November,” Saikia noted, indicating that India may push for Naqvi’s removal from the ACC post.
The ACC, for its part, has not issued a detailed statement yet on the incident. However, some Pakistan cricket officials have accused India of mixing politics with sports. “If he (Naqvi) is the ACC president, then he will only give the trophy. If you don’t want to take it from him, how will you get a trophy?” Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha remarked pointedly, questioning India’s refusal. Former Pakistan players and even the team’s coach also criticized India’s conduct as “disrespecting cricket”, given the break from sportsmanship traditions like handshakes and award acceptance.
Despite the controversy, the Indian team stands by its decision. The players jubilantly posed with the tournament banner and even mimicked past trophy celebrations – Suryakumar Yadav lifted an invisible cup above his head, drawing cheers from teammates. The episode ensured that India’s Asia Cup triumph will be remembered as much for the post-match drama as for the thrilling cricket on the field. Fans and commentators are now left debating the fallout: Was the trophy protest a principled stand against a rival nation’s official, or did it cross the line separating sports from politics? The coming ICC meetings could bring more clarity, as India seeks answers – and perhaps eventually the physical trophy – for a victory that ended without a trophy lift.
Latest Tweets from Star Indian Cricketers
Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45)
“Win is the biggest trophy. Proud to see the team standing tall, together. History made in Dubai! 💙 #INDvPAK”
Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
“Cricket is about sportsmanship. Very strange to see winners not celebrated with a trophy. But Team India, you made every Indian proud. 🙏🏏”
Sunil Gavaskar
“India won fair and square. Denying the team, the joy of lifting the trophy was unfair. Let’s hope cricket stays above politics.”
Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
“Bizarre end to a brilliant tournament. India celebrate with an ‘invisible’ trophy – a surreal but telling picture. #AsiaCup2025”
Want more cricket news, insights, and analysis? Stay connected with Wolf7Pay – your trusted cricket hub.