The Asia Cup 2025, touted as one of cricket’s most anticipated tournaments, has ended not with the usual fanfare but with a storm of controversy that shows no signs of abating. Despite India’s commanding victory over Pakistan in the final held on September 28 in Dubai, the Indian team remains without the coveted trophy—a situation that has left players, officials, and fans in disbelief and sparked heated debates across the cricketing world.
The controversy centers on the trophy handover, or rather, the lack thereof. Traditionally, the winning team is presented with the trophy on the field, allowing for jubilant celebrations and iconic photographs. This year, however, the Asia Cup’s conclusion was anything but traditional. As the final whistle blew and India secured their win, what followed was not the anticipated trophy presentation but a diplomatic standoff that has since dominated headlines.
The drama began when Mohsin Naqvi, President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), was set to present the trophy to the Indian team. In a surprising move, Indian players refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, citing escalating tensions between the two countries, particularly after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The refusal was not an isolated gesture—throughout the tournament, Indian players had declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts in all three of their encounters, signaling deep-seated political and emotional divides that spilled onto the cricket pitch.
According to reports, Naqvi responded by taking the trophy away, denying the Indian team the opportunity to celebrate their triumph on the field. He later informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that if India wanted the trophy, captain Suryakumar Yadav would need to collect it personally from the ACC office in Dubai. This condition was swiftly rejected by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, who called it "extremely unfortunate and against the spirit of the game." The BCCI is now reportedly preparing a formal complaint to the UAE administration, demanding a thorough investigation into Naqvi’s actions and even considering pushing for his removal from his posts.
“Team India sort of weren’t happy with who was handing out the trophy. I don’t feel that belongs in sport. Politics should stay aside. Sport is one thing, and it should be celebrated for what it is,” said AB de Villiers, the legendary South African cricketer and former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star, on his YouTube channel. De Villiers was unequivocal in his criticism, labeling India’s refusal to collect the trophy as a political decision and expressing his deep disappointment: “Quite sad to see that, but hopefully they will sort things out in the future. It does put the sport, the players, the sportsmen, the cricketers in a very tough position, and that’s what I hate to see. It was quite awkward there at the end.”
The fallout has not just been limited to the cricket grounds or the boardrooms. The issue has become a focal point for both Indian and Pakistani media, with each side presenting its own narrative. Pakistani authorities have gone so far as to announce a special honor for Naqvi. The Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Excellence Gold Medal is to be conferred upon him in Karachi for what is being described as his “firm and principled stance” against Indian demands during the Asia Cup final. Advocate Ghulam Abbas Jamal, President of the Karachi Basketball Association, reportedly announced the award, with prominent political figures expected to attend the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the BCCI’s frustration is palpable. The board alleges that Naqvi, despite his position as ACC president, openly sided with the Pakistan team and even attempted to use the trophy situation to pressure the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding match referee Andy Pycroft, who officiated during the India-Pakistan game. According to reports, Naqvi asked Pakistani players to remain at their hotel ahead of their match against the UAE, in hopes of forcing the ICC to take action over India’s refusal to shake hands.
India’s steadfast stance has garnered support from many fans and experts at home, who view the move as a principled stand against perceived partiality and political interference in cricket administration. However, ex-cricketers like AB de Villiers and international observers have voiced concern that the sport is being overshadowed by geopolitical tensions, with the Asia Cup 2025 serving as a stark reminder of how deeply politics can penetrate the world of sports.
As of October 3, 2025, the Asia Cup trophy remains in the possession of the PCB chief, and no decision on its handover was reached during the ACC’s Annual General Meeting in Dubai, held a day after the tournament. The Indian team, despite being the rightful champions, has yet to receive their winning medals and the trophy—a situation that is unprecedented in the tournament’s history.
The incident has also cast a shadow over upcoming fixtures. India is already back in action, hosting the West Indies for two home Tests, while Pakistan is preparing to host South Africa for a full series starting October 12. The unresolved Asia Cup drama looms large, especially with the India-Pakistan Women’s World Cup clash on the horizon, and questions remain about whether these tensions will spill over into future contests.
For now, the cricketing world watches and waits. Will the trophy find its way to the Indian team? Will the ACC and BCCI resolve their differences, or will this dispute mark the beginning of a new era of administrative and diplomatic standoffs in Asian cricket?
One thing is certain: the Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered not just for the cricket on display, but for the controversy that followed, highlighting the fragile boundary between sport and politics. As calls for resolution grow louder and the spotlight remains fixed on cricket’s administrators, fans and players alike hope that the spirit of the game will ultimately prevail over off-field disputes.
