India Refuse Asia Cup 2025 Trophy From ACC Chief Amid Political Tensions With Pakistan
Dubai – September 28, 2025:
The Asia Cup 2025 final ended in controversy on Sunday after India’s cricket team refused to collect the winners’ trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, highlighting once again how politics continues to spill into cricket.
Despite defeating Pakistan by five wickets to claim a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title, the post-match ceremony was overshadowed by India’s refusal to participate in the customary trophy handover. Presentation host Simon Doull confirmed: “I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight.”
The Indian players accepted only their individual accolades — Tilak Varma for his unbeaten 69-run knock, Kuldeep Yadav for his four-wicket haul, and Abhishek Sharma as the tournament’s top scorer. However, skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his side declined to take the main trophy from Naqvi, further straining Indo-Pak cricketing ties.
The move followed earlier signs of discord, including India’s captain skipping the traditional pre-toss photoshoot. The absence of post-match handshakes further fueled speculation of political undertones, especially as recent border tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours had already placed cricket diplomacy under strain.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also invoked politics in his congratulatory post on X, writing: “Operation Sindoor on the game’s field. Outcome is the same — India wins!”
On the field, the contest had lived up to its billing. Pakistan, after an 84-run opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46), collapsed spectacularly, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs to be bowled out for 146. Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/30 was central to India’s fightback.
India’s chase stumbled early at 20/3, but Tilak Varma (69)* and Shivam Dube (33) stabilized the innings. Varma sealed the win with a six off Haris Rauf in the final over, sparking celebrations that soon turned into controversy due to the political undertone of the trophy snub.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha admitted his team’s batting collapse cost them the match but praised his bowlers for nearly defending a modest total.
The incident marks a new low in Indo-Pak cricket relations, where the sport has often acted as a bridge for diplomacy — but on this occasion, showcased deepening hostility.
