TimesofIndia.com in Dubai: The Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan was so dramatic that it could easily inspire a web series, especially after Rinku Singh hit the winning runs at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.Indian players celebrated the win in jubilation, with man of the moment Tilak Verma playing an exceptional unbeaten 69-run knock. While the Indian players were busy celebrating, the Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan team went straight into their dressing room and locked themselves in.There was absolute chaos as the Pakistan team delayed the post-match presentation, stepping out only after an hour while Indian cricketers and coaching staff were speaking to broadcasters.TimesofIndia.com has learnt that the Indian team did not want to receive the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be Pakistan’s interior minister.
India celebrated the Asia Cup with imaginary trophies after ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi (R) demanded the silverware be removed. India beat Pakistan by 5 wickets in the Asia Cup final.
Upon learning about India’s stance, ACC officials held discussions to address the situation. The Indian team had requested to receive the trophy from Emirates Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, but the request was denied. Mohsin Naqvi insisted on presenting the medals and instructed that the Asia Cup trophy be taken away.India had already shown its position by avoiding handshakes with Pakistani players during all three Asia Cup encounters and skipping the customary pre-toss photoshoot.
Pakistani politician and President of the Asian Cricket Council Mohsin Naqvi stands near the presentation area after India won the Asia Cup final against Pakistan. (AP)
When Naqvi approached the presentation stage, Indian supporters in the stadium responded with boos and chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” Pakistani players, especially fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi, were also booed by the Indian fans.Simon Doull announced that the Pakistan team would receive the runners-up medals from Naqvi, who refused. Instead, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam handed over the medals and asked Naqvi to give the runners-up cheque to Salman Ali Agha, which the Pakistan captain threw aside.ALSO READ | Suryakumar Yadav lashes out at ACC for denying trophySimon Doull later stated, “I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that concludes the post-match presentation.” After this, all ACC officials, including Mohsin Naqvi, left the stadium.The Indian team patiently waited for the trophy as the champions placard was brought twice by groundsmen and then taken back. Hardik Pandya was the first to step onto the podium, taking a selfie, followed by the rest of the team and coaching staff. Captain Suryakumar Yadav mimicked Rohit Sharma’s iconic T20 World Cup 2024 walk, celebrating India’s victory with an imaginary trophy.
An official removes the winners’ trophy from the presentation area after India won the Asia Cup cricket final against Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium. (AP)
In the post-match press conference, Suryakumar slammed the ACC for withholding the trophy: “I have never seen a champion team being denied a trophy, that too a hard-earned one.” Abhishek Sharma echoed him, taking a cheeky jab: “We actually got one — Surya bhai brought it! We felt it, we knew its weight.”Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha criticised the Indian team: “If he (Mohsin 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?”ALSO READ | 33 runs, 9 wickets – How Pakistan collapsed in Asia Cup finalIndia Cricket Board secretary Devajit Saikia condemned the PCB’s actions: “We decided not to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the ACC chairman, who represents a country currently at odds with ours. That was our stance. But this does not give him the right to take the trophy and medals. It is extremely unfortunate and unsportsmanlike. We hope the trophy and medals are returned to India as soon as possible. We will launch a serious protest at the ICC conference in Dubai this November.”
