New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events following India’s victory over Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup final, the post-match trophy presentation became a focal point of contention. Despite securing a five-wicket win, the Indian team declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). This refusal stemmed from recent political tensions between the two nations, leading to a delayed and ultimately incomplete award ceremony.
In the aftermath, a video surfaced showing Kamran Tessori, Governor of Sindh, praising Naqvi for his actions. Tessori remarked that Naqvi had “handled the team like terrorists,” highlighting how the trophy was taken away in a car and suggesting that “the whole of India is chasing the trophy now”.
Naqvi’s decision to withhold the trophy has sparked widespread criticism. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has condemned the act as unsporting and announced plans to raise the issue at the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) conference. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed disappointment over the incident, stating that the team was “denied” the opportunity to lift the trophy.
The controversy has overshadowed India’s triumph and added a complex layer to the sporting and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
