The Indian cricket team will not be taking the awards tonight following their victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has confirmed.
Commentator Simon Doull announced that the ACC informed him of the team’s decision, which comes amid rising tensions between the two cricketing nations.
"I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation," said Doull.
However, as per TOI, players were seen going towards the podium and celebrating but without the trophy.
India defeated Pakistan by five wickets, chasing 147 runs at the Dubai International Stadium to claim their ninth Asia Cup title. Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69, Shivam Dube’s 33 off 22 balls, and Rinku Singh hitting the winning runs were the standout performances in a tense final.
Also Read: BCCI announces Rs 21 crore prize money for India’s Asia Cup 2025 victory
The decision to skip the ceremony has raised speculation, particularly given the history of India-Pakistan cricket controversies in this tournament, on-field tensions, and politically sensitive incidents spilling into the sport. The BCCI has not released an official statement on the same.
Adding context to the tension is the presence of ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In his capacity as ACC chief, Naqvi is mandated to be present at the post-final trophy ceremony and would be well within his rights to present the trophy and engage in customary handshakes with both squads.
Also Read: 'Operation Sindoor on the games field'- PM Modi reacts to India's Asia Cup win over Pakistan
With India maintaining a “No Handshake” policy with Pakistan, it was anticipated that BCCI would not allow its players to engage with a PCB chief whose public stance has been anti-India.
Naqvi has previously been involved in controversies during the tournament. He insisted the PCB accuse match referee Andy Pycroft of prohibiting exchanges of pleasantries after India’s September 14 game — a claim rejected by the ICC.
He also sought to ban India captain Suryakumar Yadav over his dedication of India’s win to the Armed Forces and the families of Pahalgam terror attack victims. In recent days, Naqvi posted cryptic videos on ‘X’, including a Cristiano Ronaldo goal celebration depicting a plane crash, similar to the gestures made by Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf, who was fined for it.
Commentator Simon Doull announced that the ACC informed him of the team’s decision, which comes amid rising tensions between the two cricketing nations.
"I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation," said Doull.
However, as per TOI, players were seen going towards the podium and celebrating but without the trophy.
India defeated Pakistan by five wickets, chasing 147 runs at the Dubai International Stadium to claim their ninth Asia Cup title. Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69, Shivam Dube’s 33 off 22 balls, and Rinku Singh hitting the winning runs were the standout performances in a tense final.
Also Read: BCCI announces Rs 21 crore prize money for India’s Asia Cup 2025 victory
The decision to skip the ceremony has raised speculation, particularly given the history of India-Pakistan cricket controversies in this tournament, on-field tensions, and politically sensitive incidents spilling into the sport. The BCCI has not released an official statement on the same.
Adding context to the tension is the presence of ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In his capacity as ACC chief, Naqvi is mandated to be present at the post-final trophy ceremony and would be well within his rights to present the trophy and engage in customary handshakes with both squads.
Also Read: 'Operation Sindoor on the games field'- PM Modi reacts to India's Asia Cup win over Pakistan
With India maintaining a “No Handshake” policy with Pakistan, it was anticipated that BCCI would not allow its players to engage with a PCB chief whose public stance has been anti-India.
Naqvi has previously been involved in controversies during the tournament. He insisted the PCB accuse match referee Andy Pycroft of prohibiting exchanges of pleasantries after India’s September 14 game — a claim rejected by the ICC.
He also sought to ban India captain Suryakumar Yadav over his dedication of India’s win to the Armed Forces and the families of Pahalgam terror attack victims. In recent days, Naqvi posted cryptic videos on ‘X’, including a Cristiano Ronaldo goal celebration depicting a plane crash, similar to the gestures made by Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf, who was fined for it.
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