India Declines Asia Cup Trophy from Mohsin Naqvi

In a stunning turn of events during the Asia Cup 2025 final, the Indian cricket team made headlines by refusing to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Interior Minister of Pakistan. This decision followed India’s impressive five-wicket victory over Pakistan in a thrilling match held in Dubai. The match concluded around 10:30 PM local time, but the trophy presentation was delayed by over an hour, raising eyebrows and sparking speculation regarding the reluctance of the Indian team to accept the trophy from Naqvi.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated, “We have decided not to take the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the main leaders of Pakistan. This does not mean that the trophy and medals should be taken away with him. We hope they return to India soon.”

At the post-match press conference, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed his disbelief at the situation, emphasizing that it was unprecedented for a champion team to be denied a trophy. He highlighted the emotional significance of their journey in the Asia Cup, stating that their real treasures were the camaraderie and victories shared among the team. As tensions grew, the atmosphere indicated a clear rift between the teams, exacerbated by previous encounters during the tournament.

The trophy presentation ultimately proceeded without the Indian team, with individual awards being presented by other dignitaries instead. Despite the drama, the Indian players celebrated their win, holding up an imaginary trophy in a display of unity and defiance. This incident has set the stage for a strong protest from the BCCI during the upcoming ICC conference in November, indicating ongoing tensions in the cricketing arena. With both teams already having a history of heated exchanges, the refusal to accept the trophy adds another layer to this contentious rivalry in the world of cricket.