India’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph over Pakistan ended in chaos as Suryakumar Yadav’s team refused to lift the trophy in Dubai. The standoff unfolded when ACC chief and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi insisted on handing over the silverware despite India’s preference to receive it from Emirates Cricket Board Vice Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni.
The ceremony was delayed by more than an hour before officials decided to pack away the trophy, leaving India’s players to collect only their individual awards. “I have never seen a champion (team) not getting a trophy. We deserved it. The real trophies are my 14 colleagues and they will stay in my memory,” Suryakumar said after the game.
According to sources, Naqvi’s social media activity fuelled the snub. Ahead of the final, he reposted provocative images, including one titled Final Day showing Pakistan players in flight suits against a backdrop of fighter jets. He had also earlier shared an image of Cristiano Ronaldo with a crashing plane.
This is not the first flashpoint of the tournament. India had refused handshakes with Pakistan players in solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, and tensions escalated with Pakistan even threatening to boycott the tournament.
On Sunday night, the players stood united — walking away from the dais without the trophy, marking one of the most controversial finishes in Asia Cup history.
