(Sports Correspondent :Imran Sohail)
Asia Cup 2025 Ends in Controversy as Trophy Ceremony Sparks Debate
Dubai | September 29, 2025 – The 2025 Asia Cup final will be remembered as much for its off-field drama as the thrilling cricket on the pitch. India defeated Pakistan by five wickets to claim their ninth Asia Cup title, but the post-match ceremony took an unexpected turn.
The presentation, delayed by more than an hour, became the focus of global headlines when the Indian team chose not to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister.
India’s Official Stance
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia later explained the decision:
“We decided not to take the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, who is also a senior political figure. That does not mean he will keep the trophy or medals. We expect they will be delivered to us soon.”
Saikia confirmed that the BCCI plans to raise the matter formally at the upcoming ICC annual conference in Dubai this November.
Ceremony Without a Trophy
When the event finally began, the Asia Cup trophy was removed from the stage. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha collected the runners-up cheque from Naqvi, while Indian players received only their individual awards from other officials.
Afterward, the Indian squad posed on the podium with imaginary gestures as if holding the missing trophy — a moment that quickly went viral on social media.
Tournament Overshadowed by Tensions
The trophy controversy followed a series of tense moments throughout the tournament. Players from both sides avoided handshakes before and after their three encounters, while on-field incidents led to disciplinary action:
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India’s Suryakumar Yadav was fined for remarks made after the group match.
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Pakistan’s Haris Rauf received a penalty for his celebration in the Super Four stage.
What It Means for Cricket
While India celebrated their hard-fought victory on the field, the unusual conclusion to the tournament left fans and analysts divided. Many expressed concern that political differences had overshadowed the spirit of cricket.
As the Asia Cup closes, attention now shifts to the next ICC event, where both sides will once again share the global stage — and where cricket fans hope the focus returns to the game itself.
