Following India’s triumph over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha made a significant announcement regarding the team’s match fees. He revealed that the entire Pakistan squad had collectively decided to donate their earnings from the tournament to the “civilians and children” impacted by India’s Operation Sindoor.
This declaration came soon after India captain Suryakumar Yadav pledged to donate his complete match fee from the tournament to the nation’s armed forces and the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. India, led by Suryakumar, sealed their ninth Asia Cup title across formats by defeating Salman Agha’s side in the final match on Sunday. During the press conference, Agha said, “As a team, we have decided to donate our match fees to the civilians and children affected by India’s attack,” underlining their stance on the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.
Criticism Towards India’s On-Field Behaviour
Apart from the announcement, Salman Ali Agha voiced his displeasure regarding India’s conduct during the tournament, particularly their refusal to engage in post-match handshakes. He expressed disappointment and accused the Indian players of undermining the spirit of the sport. According to him, “What India have done this tournament is very disappointing. They’re not disrespecting us by not shaking hands, they’re disrespecting cricket.”
He further commented that, “Good teams don’t do what they did today. We went to pose with the trophy on our own because we wanted to fulfill our obligations. We stood there and took our medals. I don’t want to use harsh words but they’ve been very disrespectful.” These remarks highlighted the tension between the two sides, which extended beyond the cricketing field and was visible throughout the tournament.
Trophy Controversy and Fan Reactions
The post-match presentation ceremony added more fuel to the controversy. The Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. In response, Naqvi walked away with his officials, carrying the trophy and medals. Despite the unusual scene, the Indian players decided to celebrate in their own manner, posing with an imaginary trophy while fireworks lit up the sky.
Even in the dressing room, the players recreated the moment with virtual trophies, later sharing those images on social media. Meanwhile, the presentation ceremony was marred by loud boos directed at Mohsin Naqvi and the Pakistan players. The event had already been delayed by more than an hour, further frustrating the crowd. Ultimately, the episode reflected not just India’s dominance in cricket but also the strained diplomatic undertones surrounding the final.
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