India reportedly refused to accept the Asia Cup 2025 winners’ trophy from Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi, causing a tense and unusual end to the final on Sunday. Naqvi, who is Pakistan’s Interior Minister and the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, was supposed to present the trophy after India’s five-wicket victory over Pakistan.
According to reports, as Naqvi waited to begin the presentation, the Indian team stood firm within 15 yards of the stage and did not move. The delay led to confusion, as Indian team management asked the ACC officials who was responsible for presenting the trophy. ACC officials huddled together and realised that their chairman was not acceptable to the Indian team.
When fans saw Naqvi on the dais, they booed loudly and chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” Officials then informed Naqvi that the Indian team would not accept the trophy if he presented it and that a formal protest would follow. Moments later, someone from the organisers quietly took the trophy directly into the Indian dressing room, bypassing the formal ceremony entirely.
This was not the first sign of India’s protest. During the tournament, Indian players had avoided shaking hands with Pakistani players and did not participate in pre-toss photos with their opponents. The team had already signaled to the ACC that they would not accept the trophy from Naqvi.
Meanwhile, Pakistani players stayed inside their dressing room for nearly an hour after the match ended. Only their chairman was left alone on the presentation stage, looking embarrassed as he waited to follow the continental body’s protocol.
After about 55 minutes, Pakistan captain Salman Agha and his teammates finally emerged to chants of “Indiaaaa, Indiaaaa” from the crowd.
Shivam Verma is a journalist with over three years of experience in digital newsrooms. He currently works at NewsX, having previously worked for Firstpost and DNA India. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football—both playing and watching—and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
