India came out champions of the Asia Cup 2025 after a tense victory of five wicket over Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday. Chased 147, anchored Tilak Varmas calmly and undefeated 69 the innings, with the support of Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube, while the men in Blue lifted their ninth Asia cup title.
But the triumph on the field was overshadowed by a controversy outside the field. In a rare face, Indian players refused to collect their medals and the trophy on stage.
The ceremony was delayed almost an hour before it became clear that the Suryakumar Yadav team would not accept the silverware of PCB chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi. The decision came across the background of raised political tensions and calls for a boycott in India.
Former Pakistani captain Shoaib Malik mocked the move and said that India can celebrate the posture today, but would regret it in the future.
“Just look at how much pressure the players have experienced, how much heat they have endured, how much hard work they have done. To win the trophy. And then they didn’t even come to take it. Today they celebrate this decision in their own way, but along the line, after a few years, this will chase them, she said in Tapmad after the game.
He added that the refusal of India meant that they missed a sporting moment that might never come back. “At the end of the day they are athletes. Their task is to get to the field and give their best chance. This was such a huge achievement, a narrow game and not collecting the trophy means that it is abused this moment.”
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