India Refuses Asia Cup Trophy in Politically Charged Ceremony After Victory Over Pakistan
In a highly unusual turn of events, the Indian cricket team refused to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy following their victory over Pakistan in the final held in Dubai on Sunday, September 28. The refusal stemmed from the trophy being presented by Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief, and Pakistan's Interior Minister. The incident has highlighted the ongoing political tensions between the two nations and their impact on the world of sports.
The Refusal and Its Aftermath
The presentation ceremony was delayed for over an hour, fueling speculation. After the delay, the Indian team declined to receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi. Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), confirmed the decision, stating it was due to Naqvi’s prominent political role in Pakistan.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed his disappointment, stating, “This is one thing which I have never seen since I started playing cricket, since I started following cricket, that a champion team is denied a trophy, I mean that too a hard-earned one. I feel we deserved it.”
Instead of the trophy, the Indian team celebrated on the podium with an imaginary trophy, a moment captured and shared on social media.
Reactions and Accusations
The incident sparked a wave of reactions from both sides. Pakistani captain Salman Agha criticized India's actions, calling it a "disrespect" to cricket. He stated, "What India have done in this tournament is disappointing... They're not disrespecting us by not shaking hands, they're disrespecting cricket. Good teams don't do what they did today."
Naqvi, who is also the Interior Minister of Pakistan, lodged a formal complaint with the ICC over the officiating of the issue. Some reports indicate Naqvi even left the ceremony with the Asia Cup trophy after the Indian team's refusal.
Some Pakistani officials have claimed that the Indian team had not shaken hands throughout the tournament, skipped the customary pre-toss photoshoot, and avoided interactions with them.
Political Context and Tensions
The refusal is seen against the backdrop of heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan. Relations plummeted following an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April, with both countries scaling back diplomatic relations and engaging in military actions.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in an X post after the game: “#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.”, a reference to military action by India. Naqvi responded, "If war was your measure of pride, history already records your humiliating defeats at Pakistan's hands...Dragging war into sport only exposes desperation and disgraces the very spirit of the game."
These tensions spilled over into the Asia Cup, with instances of players making gestures referencing military conflict and dedicating victories to armed forces.
What's Next?
The BCCI has announced a significant cash reward for the team and indicated they will lodge a strong protest at the upcoming ICC conference, hinting at further escalation of the issue within the international cricket community. The incident raises questions about the future of sporting relations between India and Pakistan and the role of politics in sports.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | India refusing to accept the Asia Cup trophy |
| Reason | Trophy presentation by Mohsin Naqvi (PCB Chief, ACC Chief & Pakistani Minister) |
| Location | Dubai International Stadium, Dubai |
| Reactions | Criticism from Pakistan, Disappointment from Indian Captain |
| Context | Heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan |
Despite the controversy, Suryakumar Yadav and the Indian team emphasized that winning the Asia Cup was the most important thing, calling it a "great moment" and a testament to their hard work and unity.
