One-hour drama in Dubai: Inside details of how PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi ran away with Asia Cup trophy after India vs Pakis

image
UPDATED :
Bengaluru, India | Sep 29, 2025, 11:10 IST
5 Min read

Dubai, Sunday 28th September 2025 — In what unfolded as a dramatic and unprecedented conclusion to the 2025 Asia Cup final, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets but refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and president of the Asian Cricket Council. The trophy presentation ceremony stretched over an hour in uncertainty before being abruptly curtailed, with Naqvi reportedly removing the trophy from the stage and leaving without awarding it.

Nerve-tingling Chase and Final Moments India’s victory was sealed in a tense finish, reaching 150/5 in 19.4 overs while chasing Pakistan’s 146 all out. The hosts had held a promising position at 113/1, but a sudden collapse saw them lose their last nine wickets for merely 33 runs. Kuldeep Yadav claimed 4 wickets for 30, and contributions from Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel further strangled Pakistan’s innings. India’s innings was anchored by an unbeaten 69 off 53 balls from Tilak Varma, while Shivam Dube added a crucial 33 in a 60-run rescue stand. Rinku Singh struck the winning boundary off his only ball of the match.

This final was marked as historic — the first time India and Pakistan had faced each other in an Asia Cup final. With this win, India lifted their ninth Asia Cup title, retaining the trophy.

Ceremony Controversy: Trophy Withdrawn What should have been a moment of celebration turned into confusion and outrage. Indian authorities had requested that the trophy be presented by Khalid Al Zarooni, Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, as a neutral officiator — a request that was denied. Mohsin Naqvi, insisting on handling the presentation, ordered that the trophy be removed instead of being awarded. The Pakistani team, captained by Salman Ali Agha, retreated to their dressing room and delayed re-emergence.

Rather than accept the trophy under protest, Indian players performed a symbolic celebration on the podium — hoisting an “imaginary trophy” in lieu of the physical one. In subsequent remarks, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed astonishment: “I think this is one thing which I’ve never seen … that a champion team is denied a trophy.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sharply condemned the act, describing it as “unsportsmanlike,” and confirmed plans to file a formal protest at the upcoming ICC conference in Dubai. The BCCI further accused Naqvi of removing the trophy and medals — even alleging he may have taken them away from the stadium altogether.

In defense, Mohsin Naqvi criticized India’s refusal to handshake and lamented the breach of protocol, calling it “utterly disappointing” and an affront to the spirit of the game.

Analysis: Politics, Protocol, and Sporting Norms This episode highlighted the precarious intersection of politics and sport — particularly in the enduring India–Pakistan rivalry. Indian players had refused to shake hands with Pakistani counterparts at the toss and after group matches, reportedly on direction from team leadership. Some suggested that the Indian side had anticipated such a confrontation and had internally resolved not to share a podium with Naqvi.

Much of the controversy hinged on Naqvi’s dual roles — as chairman of both the PCB and the ACC — placing him in a conflicted position. India’s stand appeared to stem from reluctance to legitimize his presence as ceremonial presenter.

From a protocol perspective, withdrawing a trophy without awarding it is virtually unheard of in major international sport. This breach raises questions for the ACC, ICC, and participating boards about safeguards and separation of roles in future tournament administration. Observers note that in high-stakes Indo-Pak fixtures, symbolic gestures carry weight equal to on-field performance.

Impact and Aftermath The chaotic ending may trigger serious regulatory and diplomatic fallout. ICC and ACC are expected to examine procedures for future presentations, especially in politically sensitive contexts. India's formal protest to the ICC could lead to hearings or sanctions. Meanwhile, public and fan reaction has been intense: social media is flooded with indignation, memes, and critiques of cricket administration.

Within the Indian camp, despite the absence of a physical trophy, players and fans will regard the victory as legitimate. The unprecedented nature of the snub arguably intensifies the symbolic value of the win.

For Pakistan, defeat on the field combined with off-field controversy deepens the blow. Their collapse from a strong position and inability to secure the trophy — and worse, their chairman’s optics — may prompt internal scrutiny of team management and governance.

Looking Ahead India will carry forward momentum from this win into upcoming series and tournaments, but the focus may shift to administrative redress and restoring sporting decorum. For the ACC/ICC, this incident underscores the need to insulate tournament operations from partisan influence. Long term, confidence in cricket governance — particularly in matches involving high-tension rivalries — will hinge on transparent, neutral protocols.

This 2025 Asia Cup final will be remembered not just for Indian resilience under pressure, but for the fraught climax that raised as many questions off the field as it resolved on it.

This Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy news report is not intended to defame, criticise, or undermine any player, coach, or team. It is based on verified match statistics, expert insights, and public opinion.

Tags
Get More Updates

To learn more about the latest developments in Cricket, stay updated with our exclusive reports and analyses on AiLensNews.

image

Related News

image

India Beat Pakistan by 5 Wickets, Refuse Asia Cup Trophy

icon Updated : Sep 29, 2025, 10:46 IST
Read Full News >
image

Kartik Tyagi’s 150kph Pace Powers Meerut into UP T20 Final

icon Updated : Sep 27, 2025, 16:02 IST
Read Full News >
image

Suryakumar Yadav and Haris Rauf Fined 30% Match Fee by Officials

icon Updated : Sep 27, 2025, 15:37 IST
Read Full News >
image

India Escapes Narrowly Against Oman: A Match of Unforeseen Twists

India Survives Oman Scare: A Match Defined by Resilience and Grit

icon Updated : Sep 20, 2025, 13:27 IST
Read Full News >
image

Afghanistan's Spin Attack Poses Challenge for Bangladesh in Asia Cup

Asia Cup 2025: Afghanistan's Spin Attack Challenges Bangladesh's Top Order

icon Updated : Sep 16, 2025, 17:48 IST
Read Full News >
image

Sri Lanka Survive Hong Kong Scare to Win by Four Wickets

New Delhi, UPDATED: Sep 16, 2025, 08:42 IST

icon Updated : Sep 16, 2025, 08:42 IST
Read Full News >
image

UAE Crush Oman by 42 Runs to Stay Alive in Asia Cup

New Delhi, UPDATED: Sep 16, 2025, 08:37 IST

icon Updated : Sep 16, 2025, 08:37 IST
Read Full News >
image

Tanzania Wins First-Ever Gold as Simbu Triumphs in Marathon

New Delhi, UPDATED: Sep 15, 2025, 18:48 IST IST

icon Updated : Sep 15, 2025, 18:48 IST
Read Full News >
image

Sri Lanka Look to Extend Winning Run Against Hong Kong

New Delhi, UPDATED: Sep 15, 2025, 18:40 IST

icon Updated : Sep 15, 2025, 18:40 IST
Read Full News >
image

UAE Faces Oman in Crucial Asia Cup Clash Today

New Delhi, UPDATED: Sep 15, 2025, 18:32 IST

icon Updated : Sep 15, 2025, 18:32 IST
Read Full News >
image image
A global news platform that transcends geographical, cultural, and socioeconomic boundaries. We amplify voices that are often silenced, shedding light on overlooked stories.
Stay Updated Anytime, Anywhere!
  • image
  • image
A global news platform that transcends geographical, cultural, and socioeconomic boundaries. We amplify voices that are often silenced, shedding light on overlooked stories.
Quick Links
Top Categories
Trending Topics

© 2025 AI Lens News. All Rights Reserved. Empowering the Future with AI Learning.