Asia Cup champions India refused to accept the trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also chairman of Pakistan’s cricket board.
Indian Team Boycotts PCB Chief at Asia Cup Trophy Ceremony
The Indian team stayed true to their word, boycotting PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday and refusing to accept the Asia Cup trophy, despite his presence at the ceremony as Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief. After a delay of nearly an hour—caused by the Pakistan team remaining in the dressing room following their loss—the presentation finally began amid loud boos from Indian spectators as Naqvi stepped on stage. The ceremony ended abruptly after broadcaster Simon Doull read out an ACC statement that the Indian team would not be receiving the award during the event.
The decision stemmed from the controversial group-stage match on September 14 in Dubai, where a no-handshake incident sparked tensions. Following that game, the PCB chief publicly criticised Suryakumar Yadav’s men and sought ICC intervention. Reports later revealed that India had decided they would not share the presentation stage with Naqvi if they retained the Asia Cup on September 28.
On Sunday, after India beat Pakistan in a last-over thriller by chasing 147, both India and Naqvi were initially kept waiting as the Pakistan team delayed their exit from the dressing room. Naqvi, visibly agitated, was seen speaking animatedly on the phone beside the stage.
Eventually, Pakistan captain Salman Agha, head coach Mike Hesson, and the team manager emerged to loud boos from the Indian fans, followed by the rest of the team, some still in flip-flops. Naqvi, too, faced jeers and chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” as soon as he stepped onto the stage.
No trophy for Indian team
After more than an hour’s wait, Simon Doull began the ceremony, with Tilak Varma receiving the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten 69 off 53 balls. Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube were also called up for their respective awards—Kuldeep for his four-wicket haul in Pakistan’s 146 all out, and Dube for his 33 off 21 balls. The entire Pakistan squad then collected their runners-up medals, with a brief interaction between Doull and captain Salman Ali Agha. India opener Abhishek Sharma received the Player of the Tournament award for his stellar Asia Cup 2025 performance.
However, just as fans awaited the Indian team’s appearance, Doull abruptly ended the ceremony. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation,” he announced.
Asia Cup: According to PTI, the Indian team management had earlier asked who would present the winners’ trophy, putting the ACC in a scramble when it became clear their chief, Mohsin Naqvi, was unacceptable to the champions. When Naqvi eventually took the dais, the Indian players refused to accept the trophy if he attempted to present it, prompting an official protest. As Naqvi waited, chaos unfolded—an organiser quietly carried the trophy away into the Indian dressing room, bypassing the stage entirely.
