The controversial Asia Cup 2025 saw yet another drama unfold as the Champions Team India refused to accept the trophy from the PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.
The side did not receive their awards after the finals as Naqvi reportedly left the ground with the trophy. India were forced to celebrate their win without the trophy on the night, which sparked debate all over the internet.
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Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha has now slammed the Indian side for their behavior against Pakistan, as he remarked that the side did not disrespect Pakistan, but they respected the game.
Team India disrespected the game, says Salman Agha
In a post-match press conference after the finals, when asked about Team India's behaviour, the Pakistani skipper, Salman Ali Agha, did not seem to be very pleased with how the side reacted.
India defeated Pakistan in a nail-biting final to clinch their ninth continental title, but the drama that occurred after the game made headlines.
The presentation ceremony for the final began only after a delay of more than an hour. When it eventually happened, the champion side did not take the stage to receive their awards or the trophy.
"What has happened in this tournament is very disappointing...they (India) feel that by not shaking hands they are disrespecting us, but no, sir, they are disrespecting cricket. What they did today, good teams don't do that, good teams behave the way we behaved - going alone for the photoshoot, collecting medals," said the Agha
Team India earlier refused to shake hands with the Pakistani players after their matches and also boycotted the pre-final captains' photo shoot that happens with the trophy as a tradition.
Moreover, the entire Asia Cup was clouded with a lot of controversies. While there were doubts about whether the Men In Blue would play against Pakistan or not, they eventually played their rivals three times and defeated them on all occasions.
Timeline of India vs Pakistan controveries in Asia Cup 2025
The 2025 edition of the Asia Cup will surely be one of the most remembered editions in the tournament's history. However, the tournament will be remembered more for all the wrong reasons and the off-field controversies surrounding India and Pakistan.
Let's look into the series of events that unfolded during the controversial Continental Cup.
- India refused to shake hands with Pakistan post their win in the Group A league game.
- PCB went fuming over India's decision and lodged an official complaint against the match referee Andy Pycroft, stating that the official failed to uphold the spirit of the game.
- ICC rejected PCB's claim. PCB threatened to pull out of the game against the UAE.
- Pakistan plays the UAE game that started an hour late.
- India and Pakistan collided once again in the Super 4s. There were no handshakes either, and the game also saw some heated moments involving the players from the two sides. Additionally, some insensitive war-situation gestures were made by the Pakistani players Haris Rauf and Farhan
- BCCI lodged an official complaint against Haris Rauf and Farhan. In reply, PCB also lodged a complaint against the Indian Captain Suryakumar Yadav for war references in one of the press conferences
- Rauf and Surya were fined 30% of their match fees
- No captains' photoshoot before the finals
- India refused to receive the trophy from the PCB Chairman
- Team India did not receive their Asia Cup titles and tournament awards.
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