India's victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai was met with celebrations, but the aftermath was marred by controversy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reacted strongly to the events that unfolded during the post-match ceremony, where the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman, who is also a leading leader from Pakistan.
India Clinches Victory
India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling final match, securing their ninth Asia Cup title. Tilak Varma's unbeaten 69 off 53 balls was the cornerstone of India's chase, guiding the team to victory after a shaky start. Shivam Dube contributed a crucial 33, while Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 30 runs. Pakistan, after a promising opening partnership, collapsed and were all out for 146.
BCCI's Veiled Jab
Following the win, the BCCI posted a cryptic message on social media: "3 blows. 0 response. Asia Cup Champions. Message delivered. 21 crores prize money for the team and support staff". This was interpreted as a swipe at Pakistan, alluding to India's three victories over their arch-rivals in the tournament. The "0 response" likely refers to India's dominance in those encounters and perhaps a perceived lack of response from Pakistan on and off the field. The BCCI also announced a ₹21 crore prize for the team and support staff.
The Trophy Controversy
The main controversy arose during the post-match presentation. Reports indicated that the Indian team refused to accept the winner's trophy from ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Pakistan's interior minister. This led to a bizarre situation where the trophy was removed from the presentation area, and the Indian team did not participate in the official trophy lift ceremony. Indian players celebrated with a "mock trophy".
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that India refused to accept the trophy from a person representing a country that is "waging a war against our country". He also alleged that Naqvi "walked away with the Asia Cup trophy and the individual medals of the champion team" and that the BCCI would lodge a protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Saikia demanded the trophy and medals be returned to India as soon as possible. He also linked the victory to national pride, stating, "Our armed forces have delivered it in the border area, now the same thing has been repeated in Dubai".
Political Undertones
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is deeply intertwined with the political relations between the two countries. The Asia Cup 2025 was no exception, with tensions simmering throughout the tournament. Before the final, there was a "no-handshake" controversy after Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart. Suryakumar also dedicated India's earlier win to the victims of a terror attack, which prompted a formal protest from the PCB.
Reactions
The incident has sparked mixed reactions. Some see the BCCI's stance as a strong message against Pakistan, while others view it as unsportsmanlike. Some reports claim that there was booing of Pakistani players and Mohsin Naqvi at the venue. Former cricketers and analysts have weighed in on the controversy, with some expressing disappointment over the politicization of the sport.
Despite the controversy, India's victory was a significant achievement, marking their dominance in the Asia Cup. Tilak Varma was named player of the match for his match-winning innings, while Abhishek Sharma was named player of the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav announced he would donate his entire match fee to the Indian Army.
