DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Diya TV) — India defeated Pakistan by five wickets on Sept. 28 to win a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title, but tensions overshadowed the celebration. The Indian team skipped the trophy presentation, continuing a tournament marked by strained relations between the two cricketing rivals.
India finished the tournament unbeaten to retain the Asia Cup title. Suryakumar Yadav’s squad had also won the last edition in the 50-over format. However, the team did not accept the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) head Mohsin Naqvi, leaving the ceremony delayed and tense.
“I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight,” presenter Simon Doull said. “So that does conclude the post-match presentation.”
Chasing 147 for victory, India relied on Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 to secure a thrilling win with two balls to spare. Varma formed a crucial 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Shivam Dube, who scored 33. Needing 10 runs in the final over, Varma struck a six, and Rinku Singh hit the winning boundary. The pair celebrated with the team, while Pakistan shook hands among themselves.
Kuldeep Yadav played a key role in India’s win, taking 4-30 to bowl out Pakistan for 146. His performance marked India’s third victory over Pakistan in the T20-format Asia Cup. Kuldeep finished the tournament as the leading bowler with 17 wickets. Indian opener Abhishek Sharma was named player of the tournament, scoring 314 runs, including three fifties at a strike rate of 200.
India’s innings faced early trouble at 3-20 and 4-77. Varma anchored the chase, hitting three fours and four sixes. “It was a bit of pressure, but I wanted to stay at the wicket and finish the game,” Varma said. “I was prepared to bat anywhere and was backing my game.” Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson added 24 runs, supporting Dube’s innings to guide India home in front of a stadium dominated by Indian fans.
Pakistan began their innings strongly after being put in to bat. Openers Sahibzada Farhan, who scored 57, and Fakhar Zaman, who made 46, added 84 runs. However, Pakistan collapsed from 113-1, losing six wickets for 21 runs, and fell short of their total in 19.1 overs. Kuldeep Yadav struck in the 13th over, removing key batsmen, including captain Salman Agha.
Earlier matches in the tournament had already seen tensions between the two teams. In a Super Four clash, Farhan mimicked a gun celebration after his half-century, while Haris Rauf made gestures mocking India’s military action earlier in the year. India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with Agha in the group stage, and the stance continued throughout the tournament.
The post-match presentation became a focal point of controversy. The ceremony was delayed for over an hour, and the ACC removed the Asia Cup trophy from the podium. Indian players declined to accept the trophy or medals from Naqvi, receiving their individual awards from sponsor representatives instead.
“We have decided not to take the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the main leaders of Pakistan,” Devajit Saikia, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, told ANI. “It is very unfortunate, and we hope the trophy and medals will be returned to India as soon as possible.”
Suryakumar Yadav called the situation unprecedented. “This is one thing I have never seen since I started playing cricket,” he said. “A champion team is denied a trophy, that too a hard-earned one. I feel we deserved it.”
The Asia Cup marked a return of cricket between India and Pakistan after months of political tension and border clashes in May. The two nations have not played a bilateral series in over a decade and only meet in multi-nation tournaments at neutral venues.
Pakistan captain Agha expressed disappointment over the events. “If a kid is watching in India or Pakistan, we’re not sending them a good message,” he said. “People think of us as role models, but if we behave like this, we are not inspiring them.”
Despite the off-field tension, India emerged victorious on the field, showcasing resilience and skill. Tilak Varma, Kuldeep Yadav, and Abhishek Sharma delivered standout performances that will be remembered as India claimed their ninth Asia Cup title.
