In a historic showdown in Dubai, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 title and retained the title, marking their ninth overall Asia Cup victory.
India secures the Ninth Asia Cup title with a thrilling victory over Pakistan.
India clinched the Asia Cup 2025 title after defeating Pakistan in a thrilling final at the Dubai International Stadium, securing their ninth championship win in the tournament’s history.
The high-voltage clash, marked by Pakistan’s batting collapse and India’s resilient chase, not only showcased the intensity of the cricketing rivalry but also made history as the first-ever Asia Cup final between the two archrivals.
Match Recap: Pakistan Crumbles After Strong Start.
Put into bat, Pakistan got off to a promising start, reaching 113/1, but lost nine wickets for just 33 runs to collapse to 146 all out in 19.1 overs.
The Indian spin attack, led by Kuldeep Yadav (4 wickets), turned the tide.
India’s Nerve-holding Chase.
India stumbled early at 20/3, but Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 and a crucial 60-run stand with Shivam Dube (33) revived the chase. Rinku Singh sealed the win with a boundary in the final over, clinching victory with just two balls to spare.
Trophy Drama: India Refuses to Accept from Mohsin Naqvi.
After the match, Indian players refused to collect the Asia Cup trophy or the winner’s medals from Mohsin Naqvi, the ACC president and PCB chairman (also Pakistan’s interior minister). The presentation was delayed by over an hour before being cut short.
Protest & Political Overtones
The BCCI announced plans to protest with the ICC, citing Naqvi’s political role and allegations of “waging war against India” as justification for rejecting the trophy.
Post-Match Scenes & Viral Moments
With the trophy presentation cancelled, Indian players celebrated on stage without the physical trophy, doing mock poses and imaginary lifts. Meanwhile, Naqvi reportedly walked off with the trophy backstage amid media and public attention.
Historical Significance & Aftermath.
It was the first time India and Pakistan met in an Asian Cup final. Alongside the on-field rivalry, the off-field political tension elevated the match into more than a sporting contest—sparking debates on diplomacy, sportsmanship, and national pride.
Captain Salman Agha’s Address: “India Disrespected Cricket”
During the post-match press conference, Salman Ali Agha sharply criticized the Indian side, accusing them of undermining the spirit of cricket by refusing to shake hands and by declining to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi.
He warned that if such practices become commonplace, it erodes the values cricketers are meant to model, especially for younger audiences.
Agha also claimed that the Indian player Suryakumar Yadav privately shook hands with him, despite their public stance.
Furthermore, Agha revealed that the Pakistani team has decided to donate their match fees from the final to civilians affected by “Operation Sindoor,” linking sport with social issues.
Statements from Ministers & Political Reactions.
Although detailed statements from specific Pakistani ministers about the match are still emerging, the controversy over the trophy presentation has stirred reactions at the governmental level.
Mohsin Naqvi himself responded to Prime Minister Modi’s congratulatory message by invoking historical conflicts and asserting that war cannot rewrite past events.
In India, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia vowed to lodge a formal protest at the ICC regarding the trophy handover issue, calling India’s refusal to accept it from Naqvi “unfortunate” and “unsporting.”