Former India head coach Ravi Shastri minced no words and he lambasted the Asia Cup 2025 organisers after Suryakumar Yadav's team were made to “wait 45 minutes” at the post-match presentation following the conclusion of the final against Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (September 28).

The Men in Blue defeated the arch-rivals by five wickets to clinch their record-extending ninth continental crown. However, the triumph was overshadowed by extraordinary scenes at the presentation ceremony, where the Suryakumar Yadav-led side refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan's interior minister and Asian Cricket Council president, Mohsin Naqvi.

The ceremony began after an extended delay, during which only individual award winners were recognised. Despite India's refusal to accept the trophy from him, Naqvi remained on stage, and the silverware was never handed over.

The Asian champions were prepared to receive the trophy from Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, who was also present on the dais, but Naqvi did not allow this.

The ceremony concluded prematurely, with presenter Simon Doull announcing that India would not receive their winners' medals. Naqvi then quickly got down from the stage and made his way out of the stadium. He reportedly took the trophy and winner medal with him.

“The players are being made to wait to lift the trophy and for the presentation ceremony to happen. This is ridiculous. The crowd is ready, they are making noise,” Shastri said during the post-match discussion on Sony Sports Network.

"The game is worthy of a final, then you hang around for 45 minutes after the close of the game, still not knowing what's happening. Ridiculous," he added.

Coming to the Asia Cup final, India were reduced to 20/3 inside the powerplay in their chase of 147. However, Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson steadied the ship by adding 57 runs for the fourth wicket.

Samson was dismissed for 24, but Tilak (69* off 53) stayed till the end to take his team over the line with two deliveries to spare. Shivam Dube (33 off 22) also produced a stunning cameo to put India on the brink of victory, while Rinku Singh (4*) hit the winning boundary.