India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Final
India crushed Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, but shockingly had to leave without the trophy as Mohsin Naqvi carried it away.
Rinku Singh hit the winning runs as India defeated Pakistan to lift the Asia Cup 2025 for a record ninth time. Yet, the drama didn’t end there. The tournament, already filled with controversies between India and Pakistan, closed with another shocking twist. Despite being the standout team, India couldn’t celebrate with the trophy. As the clock ticked past midnight on September 29, the post-match presentation was still nowhere in sight, with several reports confirming the delay.
Some reports suggested that India was unwilling to accept the trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, while others blamed Pakistan for the delay. Until then, everything seemed normal. The Indian players were in high spirits, sharing their thoughts with the broadcasters, Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, and bowling coach Morne Morkel all spoke with joy.
Once that segment ended, the coverage shifted to the Sony Studio, where Sanjana Ganesan discussed the match with Wasim Akram and Ravi Shastri. Naturally, everyone expected the presentation ceremony to follow and the trophy to be handed over to captain Suryakumar Yadav. But… it never came.
In a shocking turn of events, the Indian team ended the night without the Asia Cup trophy, returning to their hotel empty-handed. The presentation ceremony began after an hour’s delay, and presenter Simon Doull announced that ‘the ACC has informed us that India will not be collecting their trophy tonight.’ Reports later revealed an embarrassing low for Pakistan cricket, as ACC and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi walked away with the trophy, leaving the victorious Indian team sitting on the podium without the silverware.
How the Trophy Drama Spiralled Out of Control
The chaos began right after the match ended. While Mohsin Naqvi and the Indian team were already on stage waiting, Pakistan’s players stayed inside their dressing room. Naqvi, holding his phone, seemed busy in a heated conversation as the delay stretched on. When Salman Ali Agha eventually walked out with Mike Hesson and the team manager, the crowd erupted in loud boos. Soon after, more Pakistan players followed, some even strolling out in flip-flops, which only fueled louder jeers from the stands.
Naqvi was met with boos and chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ from the crowd. Soon, reports claimed that India was unwilling to accept the trophy from him. After a long delay, it was decided that Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni would present the trophy. But in a last-minute twist, plans shifted again.
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Pakistan collected their medals first, with captain Salman Agha even tossing the runner-up cheque on stage as Naqvi looked on. When India’s turn came, Simon Doull announced that the team would not be receiving the trophy. Naqvi then left the stadium, allegedly to avoid India’s photo-op with the silverware. One word summed it all up: disgusting.
An Asia Cup Marred by Controversy and Chaos
With these events, Asia Cup 2025 joins a notorious list of tournaments marked by India-Pakistan tension. Think of the 1999 World Cup during the Kargil War, or the 2003 edition when hostilities flared. Yet, nothing compares to the hostility over the past three weeks. From the no-handshake saga to Pakistan players mocking India with bizarre gestures, Asia Cup 2025 has witnessed it all.