Subhechcha Ganguly 
India scripted history by defeating Pakistan comprehensively in the Asia Cup 2025 final, securing the trophy for a record-extending ninth time. Rinku Singh’s winning runs sealed the emphatic victory, but what should have been a night of unbridled celebrations for the Men in Blue turned into chaos and controversy.
Despite their dominance throughout the tournament, the Indian players were forced to return to their hotel without the silverware after Asia Cup and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi walked away with the trophy. The bizarre sequence of events denied captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team the traditional moment of lifting the cup on stage.
As the clock struck midnight IST on September 29, there were still no signs of a post-match presentation ceremony. Reports suggested mounting delays, with Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav and bowling coach Morne Morkel visibly sharing their emotions while waiting. The live broadcast cut awkwardly to the Sony Sports Studio, where Sanjana Ganesan, Wasim Akram, and Ravi Shastri tried to fill the void with post-match analysis, expecting the ceremony to resume shortly.
However, when the delayed presentation finally began, the drama only intensified. Presenter Simon Doull announced that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had informed them India would not be handed the trophy that night. Eyewitnesses claim that after a heated exchange on the phone, Naqvi personally left the stadium with the trophy in hand, leaving the victorious Indian team empty-handed on the podium.
The delay reportedly began after Pakistan’s squad remained inside their dressing room, refusing to join the ceremony on time. When Salman Ali Agha eventually appeared with Mike Hesson and the team manager, the crowd responded with loud boos. Several other Pakistan players later strolled out in flip-flops, drawing further jeers from spectators.
What should have been a proud and celebratory night for Indian cricket ended instead in controversy and disappointment, with the trophy saga casting a shadow over an otherwise stellar campaign.
