Post-final controversy deepens rift between the two rivals
The dust had barely settled on India’s dramatic five-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai when a fresh storm erupted off the field. Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha launched a scathing attack on India, accusing Suryakumar Yadav’s team of “disrespecting the game of cricket” after their refusal to accept the winners’ trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi.
India’s boycott
Despite Tilak Varma’s match-winning 69* guiding India to a record ninth Asia Cup title, celebrations were muted when the presentation ceremony descended into chaos. The Indian team had already informed the ACC that they would not accept the trophy or medals from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB chairman.
India reportedly requested an alternative presenter — the Emirates Board vice-chairman — but the ACC rejected the proposal. With neither side budging, the ceremony ended abruptly without the usual trophy handover, leaving Indian players to pose with an “imaginary trophy” on stage.
Agha: “This is disrespectful to cricket”
Speaking after the final, Agha did not mince his words.
“What India did with us — refusing handshakes, refusing to take the trophy — is not just disrespect to Pakistan but to cricket itself. If every team starts doing this, where will the line be drawn? Cricketers are supposed to be role models, but what message are we sending to kids watching at home?”
The Pakistan captain insisted that his side followed protocol despite losing the final, contrasting it with India’s stance.
“We stood there, collected our medals, and posed with the trophy. That’s what good teams do. I don’t want to use harsh words, but what India did was disrespectful to the game,” he added.
Handshake row
The trophy fiasco capped weeks of tension between the two sides. From the opening group-stage clash on September 14, India had avoided shaking hands with Pakistan’s players — a move that infuriated the opposition camp. In response, Pakistan skipped a post-match press conference and even considered pulling out of the event at one stage.
Agha noted the inconsistency, pointing out that India captain Suryakumar Yadav shook hands during private referee meetings but refused to do so in public after matches.
“I’m sure if it was up to him personally, he would have shaken hands. But clearly, he was following instructions,” Agha said.
The Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered as much for the controversies as for the cricket itself. India’s unbeaten run to the title underscored their dominance, but the refusal to accept the trophy from Naqvi has sparked a diplomatic flashpoint that could spill into future India-Pakistan encounters.
With the ACC yet to issue a detailed statement, the row over protocol and sportsmanship shows no signs of cooling — casting a shadow over one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries.