Asia Cup 2025: India decides not to lift the winning trophy, shows a mirror to ACC President Mohsin Naqvi

The Indian team has decided not to lift the winner's trophy after winning the Asia Cup. In fact, the team decided not to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, which resulted in the awards ceremony ending without the team receiving the trophy. There were reports that the team would receive the trophy from the Vice President of the Emirates Cricket Board, but the team decided not to.

Delay in the Awards Ceremony

Naqvi was standing to one side before the start of the awards ceremony, while the Indian players were standing within 15 yards. They refused to move from their positions, causing a delay in the ceremony. It is believed that the Indian team management may have asked who would present the winner's trophy, and discussions within the ACC began, knowing that the Indian team would not accept the trophy from Naqvi. As Naqvi came on stage, Indian fans in the audience began chanting "Bharat Mata Ki Jai."

The audience chanted "India, India."

As soon as Naqvi came on stage, he was told that the Indian team would not accept the trophy from him and that if he tried to force it, an official protest would be lodged. Naqvi waited, and suddenly, someone from the organizers took the trophy into the dressing room. In another dramatic turn of events, the Pakistani team did not emerge from the dressing room until an hour after the match ended. Only PCB Chairman Naqvi stood alone, facing the embarrassment. When the Pakistani team emerged after about 55 minutes, the audience chanted "India, India."

Even before the final, speculation was rife that the Indian players would not accept the trophy from Naqvi if they won. Naqvi is also the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Home Minister of his country and is known for his anti-India stance. The Indian team has adopted a policy of not shaking hands with anyone from Pakistan and not engaging in any off-field interactions. Naqvi recently posted a video of Cristiano Ronaldo on Instagram, in which he celebrated a goal by gesturing about a plane crash. Pakistan's controversial fast bowler Haris Rauf had also made the same provocative gesture during the Super 4 match against India on September 21, for which he was fined.