Asia Cup 2025: India’s Trophy Refusal After Beating Pakistan Sparks Global Reactions
India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai, but the post-match scenes were unlike before in cricket. The Indian team refused to accept the Asia Cup winners’ trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman and Pakistan minister Mohsin Naqvi. Despite the delay in the presentation, the players stood their ground, celebrating their hard-earned victory without lifting the trophy on stage.
India vs Pakistan Rivalry Intensifies as Trophy Refusal Makes Headlines
Indian players were willing to receive the trophy from Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, but Naqvi reportedly blocked that option as he has been a controversial figure. The tension was heightened by Naqvi’s earlier cryptic social media posts referencing Operation Sindoor, which reportedly cemented India’s decision to reject the trophy handover. Fans inside the stadium chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” as Naqvi stood on the stage, adding to the charged atmosphere of yet another fiery India vs Pakistan clash.
This was not a spontaneous reaction. Even India avoided handshakes with Pakistani players throughout the tournament and skipped pre-toss photoshoots. The gesture shows that the Nation's pride comes first for Indians. Naqvi’s earlier cryptic social media posts referencing Operation Sindoor strengthened India’s stance. The cricket world took note as India celebrated its ninth Asia Cup crown without the traditional trophy moment.
Presentation Ceremony Turns More Dramatic
Adding to the drama, the Pakistani players stayed inside their dressing room nearly an hour after the match ended, leaving ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi stranded on stage. When skipper Salman Ali Agha and his teammates finally emerged, they were met with loud chants of “Indiaaaa, Indiaaaaa” from the stands.
Asia Cup 2025 Triumph Highlights India’s Dominance Over Pakistan
On the field, India’s performance was clinical. Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 and Shivam Dube’s crucial 33 anchored the chase of 147. Kuldeep Yadav’s brilliant spell of 4/30 triggered a dramatic Pakistan collapse from 84/0 to 146. India’s third win over Pakistan in the tournament reaffirmed its supremacy ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the victory as “#OperationSindoor on the games field.” Other leaders and ICC chairman Jay Shah congratulated the team for its consistency and character.
India’s Stand Beyond Cricket
India's refusal to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi lent dramatic force to what should have been just an ordinary presentation after the match. This was more than another match between India and Pakistan—a display of resistance, pride, and standing by one's convictions. Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered for India's victory and the message that some wins transcend numbers on a scoreboard.