The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan ended with India lifting their ninth title in emphatic fashion, but the post-match scenes turned chaotic as the winning team returned to the hotel without the trophy. What should have been a night of celebration was overshadowed by a controversial act involving ACC and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who left the venue with the silverware, denying India their traditional victory moment.
India dominated the final, with Rinku Singh striking the winning runs to seal a comfortable win. Players like Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, and bowling coach Morne Morkel shared their emotions with broadcasters, and everything appeared set for the presentation ceremony. However, confusion followed when the broadcast cut away, and reports emerged of a delay in the trophy handover.
Initially, speculation suggested that the Indian team was reluctant to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi. Others claimed Pakistan’s absence on stage caused the delay. Naqvi was seen on his phone, visibly engaged in a tense conversation, while Pakistan’s players remained in the dressing room. When they finally arrived, some walked out casually in flip-flops, drawing loud boos from the crowd.
The ceremony eventually resumed after more than an hour, but the drama intensified. Presenter Simon Doull announced that India would not be receiving the trophy that night. Instead, Naqvi abruptly departed the stadium with the silverware. This left the Indian team sitting on stage without the prize they had rightfully earned.
The chaos was heightened when Pakistan’s players collected their runner-up medals, with captain Salman Agha tossing away the runner-up cheque on stage. Plans for Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni to hand over the trophy were scrapped at the last minute, leading to confusion and anger among fans.
Crowds responded with chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” while Naqvi faced jeers before exiting. The incident capped off a tournament already filled with controversies—ranging from the no-handshake saga to Pakistan’s mocking gestures toward Indian players.
With this episode, Asia Cup 2025 enters the list of tournaments marred by political and sporting hostility between India and Pakistan. While past editions like the 1999 and 2003 World Cups carried political tensions, the 2025 Asia Cup stands out for the sheer drama surrounding the final. Despite India’s dominant cricketing performance, the absence of the trophy presentation turned a proud moment into an avoidable controversy that overshadowed their achievement.