Dubai – Encounters between India and Pakistan always ignite endless debate, but when they clash in an Asia Cup final, the spotlight intensifies. In a thrilling showdown at the 2025 Asia Cup, Team India clinched the title with a commanding five-wicket victory over Pakistan, securing their ninth Asian championship.
The on-field heroics were impressive enough, but the post-match trophy ceremony left the cricket world stunned. In a bold statement, Indian players outright refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. This standoff delayed the presentation by nearly two hours. Naqvi waited patiently on stage, but no Indian cricketer appeared. Eventually, someone quietly carried the trophy into the dressing room without fanfare. Meanwhile, the Pakistani team lingered inside their dressing room for over an hour after the match ended. Left standing alone, Naqvi endured an awkward and humiliating silence as the crowd chanted “India-India” when the opponents finally emerged.
Undeterred, Team India’s players transformed the moment into a jubilant spectacle, celebrating their hard-fought win with unbridled energy minus any trophy in sight. The dressing room erupted in cheers, with players dancing and hugging in a display of pure elation. Adding a touch of playful camaraderie, all-rounder Hardik Pandya kicked off the festivities by hilariously mimicking captain Rohit Sharma’s signature victory walk toward an imaginary trophy. Pandya’s exaggerated strut complete with Rohit’s trademark swagger and a mock air-punch had the entire squad in stitches, collapsing in laughter as they high-fived and replayed the gesture on their phones. The lighthearted imitation not only lightened the mood but also underscored the unbreakable team spirit that propelled them to glory.
This wasn’t mere revelry; it carried deeper resonance. The Indians extended their firm stance by skipping handshakes with Pakistani players and formalities with Naqvi, a pattern seen twice earlier in the tournament when post-match courtesies were similarly avoided after India-Pakistan clashes. As the night unfolded, the victory parade continued on the outfield, with fireworks lighting up the Dubai sky and fans roaring in approval. For Team India, the real trophy was the collective joy of outplaying a rival and owning the moment on their terms a fitting capstone to a dominant campaign.
