The 2025 edition of Asia Cup ended on Sunday (September 28) in Dubai, with India defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets in the final to clinch the continental crown for the record-extending ninth time.
However, India’s triumph was marred by a controversy 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.
Throughout the tournament, Naqvi shared anti-India sentiments on social media. He also demanded match referee Andy Pycroft’s removal after the no-handshake row in the group-stage fixture between India and Pakistan.
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 ready 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 medals with him.
After what happened in the post-match presentation, former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal urged the PCB to put its foot down and boycott playing India in the upcoming multi-nation events.
“Pakistan board should immediately say that ‘we should never play against India’. Let’s see what action ICC takes. What else evidence do you need after this? But the BCCI person is leading the ICC – how will he (Jay Shah) take any action? The other boards have to come together, say we can’t see this in cricket. Sport is not played at anyone’s home. If others don’t play them, then no money is going to come,” Akmal told ARY News.
“The earlier these things can be controlled, the better for everybody. A neutral body has to be formed without Pakistan and India, make a committee of Australians, South Africans, and New Zealanders and let them decide on what action to be taken about all that has happened in this tournament,” he added.
During the Super 4 clash, Pakistan pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf constantly sledged India openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma while opener Sahibzada Farhan performed a gun-shot celebration after reaching his half-century.
However, Akmal reckons that it was India who crossed all limits and the Men in Green did nothing wrong.
"This cheap harkatein (behaviour) we shall keep seeing from India. We have seen in this tournament that they have done as much damage to cricket as they could. PCB and ACC president took the right stand – take the trophy or not, it will be given by the president only. India will become the joke of the cricketing world," he remarked.
