Did India boycott Mohsin Naqvi at Asia Cup 2025 final presentation ceremony? India refuses to collect winners' trophy

Devansh Poddar

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Did India boycott Mohsin Naqvi at Asia Cup 2025 final presentation ceremony? India refuses to collect winners' trophy image

The Asia Cup 2025 has been clouded with numerous controversies surrounding the two neighboring countries, India and Pakistan. The tournament has made headlines more for the off-field banters and political tensions. 

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The two sides squared off in Dubai, with India winning by 5 wickets and clinching their ninth Asia Cup title, but a fresh controversy is expected now.

Following the win, India refused to receive the trophy from Pakistan's Mohsin Naqvi, and while they were present on the ground, the team did not take the stage to collect the medals or the trophy.

India celebrates Asia Cup 2025 without winners' trophy after Mohsin Naqvi boycott

According to PTI news' Kushan Sarkar, the latest update from the Dubai International stadium suggests Naqvi is preparing to take the stage but has been heavily booed by the Indian supporters. The fans were also heard chanting "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".

The match ended nearly 40 minutes ago, but there's been a delay in the presentation ceremony, likely due to Naqvi's decision to present the awards. Sarkar reports that Indian players are on the ground while Pakistan players have not yet emerged from the dressing room.

Naqvi also reportedly reached the stage to present the award; however, he only gave away the runners-up medals to the Pakistan team.

While the Indian team was on the ground, they refused to take the stage and effectively boycotted the winners' trophy presentation due to Naqvi's presence. The team later celebrated the win but without the trophy, which was nowhere to be seen.

Will India boycott the Asia Cup Final presentation?

The strained relations between India and Pakistan further worsened earlier this year when they faced off in a war-like situation following the Pahalgam terror attack in India.

As a follow-up to the incident, Team India refused to shake hands with Pakistan after winning the group stage and Super 4 clashes. The Men in Blue won both the meetings earlier in the tournament, winning the group clash by 7 wickets and the Super 4 match by 6 wickets.

India's handshake refusal led to much drama and a series of controversial events involving the two countries. Pakistan demanded the removal of Andy Pycroft, the match referee, and threatened to pull out of their league game against the UAE.

The matter further escalated when the two sides faced off in the Super 4s encounter. The high-voltage clash witnessed some heated exchanges and insensitive gestures from the Pakistani players. 

More: 33 runs for 9 wickets! Kuldeep Yadav triggers Pakistan's shocking collapse in IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 final

Now, the winners' cup is expected to be presented by Mohsin Naqvi, who is the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council, the PCB chairman, and the interior minister of Pakistan. 

While there has been no official word from either side, it is unlikely that India will collect their trophy if Naqvi chooses to take part in giving away the honours during the presentation ceremony.

Why is Mohsin Naqvi presenting the Asia Cup winners' trophy?

As per the protocols, the head of the board presents the trophy to the winning side. Mohsin Naqvi is currently the Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and is all set to lead the proceedings during the finals' presentation ceremony. 

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Devansh Poddar

Devansh Poddar is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition.