Ravi Shastri, former India all-rounder and ex-head coach, lashed out at the organisers of the Asia Cup 2025 after Suryakumar Yadav’s side were forced to “wait 45 minutes” for the post-match presentation following their victory over Pakistan in the final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Powered by Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 off 53 deliveries, India chased down the target with five wickets in hand and two balls to spare, sealing their record ninth Asia Cup title. But the spotlight shifted from India’s triumph to the chaos that followed.
The presentation ceremony was delayed for nearly three-quarters of an hour as the Indian players declined to accept the trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the PCB and serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. When the event finally began, Naqvi stood silently on the podium, expressionless and avoiding any interaction.
He refrained from presenting individual awards and only appeared in a brief photo-op with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha while handing over the runners-up cheque of USD 75,000 (approx. ₹66.75 lakh). The proceedings wrapped up abruptly, with commentator Simon Doull announcing that India would not be given their winners’ medals.
Naqvi promptly exited the stage, reportedly taking the trophy with him, leaving uncertainty about when India would actually receive it. Speaking during a live show alongside former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram, Shastri went on an angry tirade, questioning why the Indian players had to endure such an unnecessary delay before celebrating a hard-earned win.
“The players are being made to wait to lift the trophy and for the presentation ceremony to happen. This is ridiculous. The crowd is ready, they are making noise,” Ravi Shastri said during the post-match discussion on the Sony Sports Network.
‘The game is worthy of a final, then you hang around for 45 minutes after the close of the game, still not knowing what’s happening. Ridiculous,” he added.
Ravi Shastri ,🗿🗿🗿
Something wrong with the presentation ceremony.
India may be doesn't want to take the Trophy from ACC and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi #INDvsPAK #INDvPAK #AsiaCupT20— Ａｄｉｔｉ🏵️🌼 (@GlamAditi_X) September 28, 2025
India edge past Pakistan in thrilling final to secure Asia Cup 2025 victory
Chasing 147 in the Asia Cup 2025 final, India faced early trouble at 20/3 before Tilak Varma delivered a brilliant rescue act. The young batter remained unbeaten on 69, playing one of his finest knocks under pressure to guide India to victory. He was well supported by Sanju Samson (24) and Shivam Dube (33), who contributed crucial runs in the middle order.
The winning shot came from Rinku Singh, who struck a boundary off the very first ball he faced in the tournament. Earlier, Pakistan suffered a dramatic collapse, slipping from 113/1 to 146 all out by the 20th over. Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler for India, picking up four wickets, including the dismissals of Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, and Faheem Ashraf.
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