The political hostility between India and Pakistan was evident even in the Asia Cup final. After defeating Pakistan and becoming champions, the Indian cricketers left the field without taking their medals or the trophy.
At that point, only the champions’ medals and trophy presentation remained. That’s when presenter Simon Doull announced, “The ACC has informed that the Indian team will not be receiving their awards today.” This immediately sparked debate, discussion, and criticism. But why didn’t India take the trophy?
After 41 years, an India–Pakistan Asia Cup final had turned into a grand battle. In a nail-biting match that went down to the last over, Suryakumar Yadav’s India emerged victorious. Yet even though the Asia Cup ended, the drama didn’t. The bitterness of political rivalry between the two nations lingered.
The prize-giving ceremony began nearly an hour and a half after the match ended. Individual awards were handed out smoothly, but when it was time to present the trophy to the champions, drama unfolded. The Indian team gave no immediate explanation for refusing to accept the award.
According to several media reports, the presence of Pakistan’s cabinet members, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) officials, and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the presentation stage was the reason India didn’t agree to take the trophy from his hand. As ACC president, it was Naqvi who was supposed to hand over the champions’ trophy.
In recent months, political tensions between India and Pakistan have reached extreme levels. Even before the final, there had been rumors that if India won, they would refuse to take the trophy from Naqvi’s hand. In the end, though no official statement was made, India’s refusal to accept the award confirmed those speculations.
Despite not accepting the trophy, Indian cricketers celebrated in their own way afterward, posing for photos as champions for the photographers on the field—without the trophy. However, the absence of the trophy has drawn anger from the Indian cricket board, which has said it will lodge a strong protest at the upcoming ICC meeting.
