The Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai will be remembered as much for its controversy as for cricket. India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling contest but the post-match drama overshadowed the on-field heroics when the team refused to accept the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
For nearly 90 minutes after the match ended, chaos unfolded at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Indian players, joined later by their families and coaching staff, celebrated their victory near the boundary. Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s wife Devisha and head coach Gautam Gambhir’s family were among those who joined the jubilant squad. Just a short distance away, Mohsin Naqvi and his entourage stood firm on the presentation stage, awaiting the ceremony that never properly began.
Reports suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had already informed its representatives at the ACC that the team would not accept the award from Mohsin Naqvi, citing his long-standing anti-India stance. His past social media activity, including cryptic videos linked to Pakistani claims about downing Indian jets during “Operation Sindoor” and his push for ICC action against Suryakumar Yadav for expressing solidarity with the armed forces had not gone unnoticed. Throughout the tournament, India also avoided customary handshakes with the Pakistani players, signaling their firm position.
As minutes turned into an hour, the delay became increasingly awkward. None of the Pakistan players appeared for the presentation initially and it was understood that India would accept the trophy only if another dignitary such as Dubai Sports City’s Khalid Al Zarooni handed it over. Yet Mohsin Naqvi refused to step aside and India’s players refused to move toward the stage. A senior BCCI official later said that the board was prepared to lodge a formal protest if Mohsin Naqvi attempted to present the trophy by force.
In the meantime, post-match presenter Simon Doull proceeded with the mandatory announcements, handing out individual awards to acknowledge sponsors and stakeholders. Pakistan eventually sent out their players to collect prizes from Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul. When the time came for the winners’ trophy, Simon Doull announced that India would not be collecting any awards, effectively calling off the ceremony. Moments later, event staff removed the trophy from the stage, leaving the crowd in shock.
Speaking outside the venue, Aminul Islam Bulbul who is close to Mohsin Naqvi admitted that the prize distribution had been cancelled due to India’s refusal. Back in Mumbai, the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed India’s position, stating that the team had chosen not to take the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi who holds a senior position in Pakistan’s government. Devajit Saikia added that while India was proud of the team’s achievements, it was unacceptable for the chairman to walk away with both the trophy and medals and he urged that they should be returned promptly.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha backed Mohsin Naqvi’s controversial stand, arguing that as the ACC chairman, he had every right to present the award. But for the Indian players, the celebrations without the trophy mattered little. They posed for photos near the podium and soaked in the cheers of their supporters, who stayed late into the night chanting slogans.
Pakistan’s disappointment in the Asia Cup final was deepened by the celebrations that followed India’s victory. While several Indian players’ gestures and remarks spread quickly online, it was Varun Chakaravarthy’s post that captured attention the most.
The spinner shared a set of pictures on X, showing the team celebrating with an imaginary trophy. In one image, he humorously posed on his bed, holding a teacup as if it were the championship silverware. His caption, which hailed India’s triumph and expressed patriotic pride, struck a chord with fans, going viral within hours.
The caption of his tweet read, “Akkha duniya ek taraf, aur mere india ek taraf 🇮🇳🙂
Jai hind !!! 🇮🇳”
https://x.com/chakaravarthy29/status/1972511703226257517
Varun Chakaravarthy had every reason to celebrate, having played a key role in India’s win. His spell broke Pakistan’s strong start by dismissing both the openers — Sahibzada Farhan who made 57 and Fakhar Zaman who scored 46. These breakthroughs halted Pakistan’s momentum and set the stage for India’s eventual five-wicket victory, marking their ninth Asia Cup title.
What should have been a traditional prize-giving instead turned into a moment of defiance, ensuring that the Asia Cup 2025 final will be remembered as one of the most dramatic and politically charged nights in cricket.
