The Asia Cup 2025 final ended with India’s convincing win over Pakistan, but the post-match celebration took an unexpected turn. The spotlight shifted from the champions to ACC Chief and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who allegedly walked away with the trophy after the match, sparking massive controversy and criticism across the cricketing world.
India defeated Pakistan fair and square to clinch the Asia Cup 2025 title, yet the players were denied their traditional moment of lifting the trophy. The incident occurred when the Indian team reportedly refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and was actively involved in Operation Sindoor. Following the refusal, Naqvi decided to leave the venue with the trophy in his possession, a move that many fans and former players described as unprofessional and disrespectful.
Indian all-rounder Rahul Tewatia shared his thoughts on the situation during an interview with ANI, saying, “We did not get the trophy even after winning the final. Our players waited for a long time, but the trophy was taken away. At the end of the day, what matters is that India won the final, and history will always remember the winner.”
Tewatia emphasized that taking the trophy does not change the result, stating, “By keeping the trophy, Pakistan hasn’t won it. India earned the victory on the field.” His remarks resonated strongly with fans, reinforcing that records and history recognize performance, not possession.
The Asia Cup ceremony itself had been surrounded by tension even before the final. Earlier in the tournament, the India-Pakistan handshake controversy had caused friction between both sides. Reports revealed that ICC match referee Andy Pycroft was instructed to announce a “no-handshake” protocol minutes before the toss, escalating the rivalry. Pakistan had even complained to the ICC, threatening a boycott, adding fuel to the already intense atmosphere.
Social media has since exploded with reactions criticizing Naqvi’s actions. Some reports suggest that he might even be honored in Pakistan for his decision, further intensifying the debate. However, fans and analysts around the world agree on one fact — India remains the rightful Asia Cup 2025 champion, and no act can alter what the scorecard and history clearly show.
