India are the New Asia Cup champions after beating Pakistan with five wickets in a tense final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. The match waved back and forth, but India had their nerve in the last to lift their ninth Asia Cup title.
The players celebrated with passion on the field, but the real drama unfolded after the game. When it was time for the presentation, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Asian Cricket Council Chief, Mohsin Naqvi.
According to reports, the trophy was eventually transmitted by Emirates Cricket Board Vice chairman Khalid Al Zarooni after a long delay. The refusal is seen as India’s solid response to Pahalgam’s terror attack earlier this year and the uncomfortable relationships that followed.
The structure of the final had already been tense. From the very first league match, India had refused to shake hands with Pakistan players, a movement that led PCB to submit a complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft. Also on the field things came across with fiery parties, heated fairs and fines for both Suryakumar Yadav and Haris Rauf.
In his comments after the game, Suryakumar Yadav again mentioned Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack, making it clear that the emotions were going far beyond the cricket field. Pakistani players had previously made political gestures during competitions, which only deteriorated the atmosphere.
When the evening ended, the Indian team celebrated in their hands without the trophy. Reports even claimed that Naqvi left the location with the silverware and leave the stage without its center.
However, the greater explanation has already been made for India. They had defeated Pakistan three times in the same tournament, and on the biggest stage of all, they chose to walk away with the victory but without Naqvi’s handshake.
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