India won the final of the 2025 Asia Cup against Pakistan on September 28, but it was what happened during the post-match ceremony that stole all headlines. The Indian side refused to take the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, President of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and also Pakistan’s Interior Minister. The incident swiftly became a political and sporting furor.
Playing here in Dubai, India bossed the game with their control and energy levels to end up comfortable winners against Pakistan. The fans had been waiting for a big celebration, but the mood changed once it was time to collect the trophy. The Indian players however decided not to accept the cup directly from Naqvi, reports said. The ceremony was pushed back, shortened and took place in an unusual fashion with scant celebration on the stage.
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In a rare move, the sporting federation said the decision was prompted by political tension between the two countries. India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series for many years due to tensions. The Asia Cup is one such tournament where both the teams meet each other. The Rest of the match was a showcase of high quality cricket, but the climax showed much-less-than-neighborsly relations.
