Why Team India Didn’t Accept Asia Cup Trophy?

Citing a refusal to normalise Pakistan’s “disinformation playbook,” Team India declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy and medals from ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister.

September 29, 2025: The moment of victory for Team India at the 2025 Asia Cup Final descended into an unprecedented political standoff, as the players refused to accept the winner’s trophy and medals from Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The snub, following India’s five-wicket victory over Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, was confirmed by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, who framed the refusal as a pointed political statement against Pakistan’s state-backed “disinformation and propaganda.”

A Rejection of Political Messaging

Sources indicate that India’s move signals a clear refusal to legitimize the messaging pushed by Naqvi, who has repeatedly stirred controversy during the tournament, including making post-match comments on social media linked to Pakistan’s military narratives.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia minced no words in justifying the team’s stance. “We have decided not to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the main leaders of Pakistan,” Saikia told media in Mumbai.

“India is fighting a war with a country, and a leader belonging to that country was supposed to hand over the trophy. We cannot accept a trophy from a person who is waging a war against the country,” he added, directly linking the sporting gesture to ongoing diplomatic and security concerns.

The Trophy Tussle

The refusal led to an hour-long delay and an ensuing fiasco, with the Indian team willing to receive the trophy from Emirates Cricket Board Vice-Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, a request Naqvi reportedly denied.

In a dramatic turn, the post-match presentation concluded without the Champions receiving their silverware. Saikia strongly condemned Naqvi’s subsequent action of allegedly removing the trophy and medals from the venue.

“That does not mean that the gentleman will take away the trophy with him, along with the medals… It is very unfortunate, very unsporting, and we hope that the trophy and the medals will be returned to India as soon as possible,” Saikia stated.

The BCCI has also announced it will lodge a “very serious and very strong protest” against Naqvi’s conduct at the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) conference in Dubai in November. For India, the message is unambiguous: sportsmanship will not be used as a political concession to normalise hostile narratives.