India clinched a thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final at Dubai International Stadium, but the celebrations turned unusual when the team ended up without the trophy. After chasing down 147 with just two balls left, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
This move led to confusion and delayed the post-match ceremony, with Pakistan’s players also not leaving their dressing room. Instead, Indian cricketers celebrated on the ground without the cup, as Suryakumar playfully ran around pretending to hold it. The issue stemmed from political tensions that had already surrounded the tournament. A day before the final, the official pre-match photo with the trophy was canceled after Suryakumar declined to stand alongside Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and Naqvi.
Politics and Rivalry Add Fuel to Drama
This edition of the Asia Cup has been marked as the most politically charged in the competition’s 41-year history. The tournament was held just months after the Pahalgam terror attack, making the India-Pakistan rivalry even more intense. During the group stage and Super Fours, Indian players avoided handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts, showing the strain in relations.
The final itself, the first-ever between India and Pakistan in Asia Cup history, was expected to be historic. However, instead of the cricket alone making headlines, the refusal to accept the trophy and Pakistan’s delay in attending the presentation became the central talking points. Fans witnessed a clash where off-field politics overshadowed the thrilling cricketing battle on the ground.
India’s On-Field Brilliance Secures Ninth Title
Despite the off-field controversy, India displayed remarkable resilience in the final. Pakistan looked dominant at 113/1 in the 13th over, but their batting collapsed dramatically. Kuldeep Yadav’s magical spell turned the match, as he claimed four wickets, including three in the 17th over, triggering a collapse that saw Pakistan lose nine wickets for only 33 runs and end on 146 in 19.1 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy also chipped in with two wickets each. India’s chase was shaky at the start, losing three wickets for just 20 runs. However, Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 off 51 balls under immense pressure became the backbone of the innings. He found support from Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube before Rinku Singh struck the winning boundary, sealing India’s ninth Asia Cup title in dramatic fashion.
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