ACC Chief Mohsin Naqvi Walks Away With Asia Cup Trophy, Leaving Team India Empty-Handed

India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final by chasing a 147-run target with two balls to spare, but the victory celebrations turned chaotic when the team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The players’ rejection delayed the post-match ceremony and forced both teams to remain in their dressing rooms, intensifying the tense atmosphere inside the Dubai International Stadium. Suryakumar Yadav even performed a mock victory run without holding the trophy, symbolizing India’s discontent with the presentation process.

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Asia Cup Drama Overshadows Historic India-Pakistan Final

The controversy erupted in the backdrop of heightened tensions between the two nations, as the traditional pre-final photo shoot was canceled after India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to pose with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha and Naqvi. Earlier in the tournament, India declined handshakes with Pakistani players during group and Super Four matches, setting the tone for an unusually political edition of the Asia Cup. With the final being the first-ever India-Pakistan title clash in the tournament’s 41-year history, the off-field friction overshadowed the dramatic on-field battle.

Pakistan Collapse After Strong Start With the Bat

On the field, Pakistan looked poised for a big total at 113/1 in the 13th over but crumbled spectacularly against India’s spinners, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs. Kuldeep Yadav scripted the collapse with four wickets, including three in a match-defining 17th over, while Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy each took two wickets to restrict Pakistan to 146 in 19.1 overs. Their sudden downfall shocked the crowd, who had expected a strong finish from Pakistan’s batting lineup after their solid start.

India’s chase began nervously as the team slumped to 20/3, but Tilak Varma played a composed innings under immense pressure, scoring an unbeaten 69 off 51 balls. He built crucial partnerships with Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube to stabilize the innings before Rinku Singh struck a decisive boundary to secure a five-wicket win. With this result, India claimed their ninth Asia Cup title in thrilling fashion, though their refusal to accept the trophy ensured the focus remained firmly on the controversy rather than their hard-fought triumph.

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