India’s thrilling five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final should have been a night of celebration for the champions. Instead, the post-match proceedings descended into chaos as Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan minister Mohsin Naqvi refused to follow protocol, denying India the opportunity to receive their trophy and winners’ medals. The controversy began when India, citing Naqvi’s position as a representative of Pakistan, refused to accept the trophy from him. Officials from the ACC attempted to mediate, suggesting Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni present the awards instead, but Naqvi blocked the move. After a protracted standoff lasting nearly an hour, the trophy was quietly taken away by organisers while individual performers, including India’s Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma, were feted.
Also read: The one-hour drama in Dubai: Inside details of how PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi ran away with Asia Cup trophy after India vs Pakistan final Fans in the stands expressed their displeasure, chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and booing Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha as he approached the stage. The Pakistani team, meanwhile, remained in their dressing room long after the match ended, leaving Naqvi stranded and visibly embarrassed.
Poll
Should sports events be free of political involvement?
Adding fuel to the fire, Naqvi took to X (formerly Twitter), responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulatory message on India’s victory with a shocking statement: “If war was your measure of pride, history already records your humiliating defeats at Pakistan’s hands. No cricket match can rewrite that truth. Dragging war into sport only exposes desperation and disgraces the very spirit of the game.”
Mohsin Naqvi tweet
Cricket analysts and fans condemned Naqvi for politicising sport and disrespecting the champions. The incident came after India’s team had already signalled their disapproval by avoiding handshakes with Pakistani players throughout the tournament and skipping the customary pre-toss photoshoot. Naqvi’s attempts to escalate tensions continued off the field, including demanding that Suryakumar Yadav be charged by the ICC for standing in solidarity with the Indian Army after the Pahalgam terror attack.
