Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha claimed India “disrespected cricket,” while India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav argued his team “was denied the trophy” after a tense Asia Cup victory.
This marked the third consecutive Asia Cup match where the teams did not shake hands, as India secured a five-wicket win in Dubai on Sunday.
Suryakumar’s team skipped the victory ceremony, refusing the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister.
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Suryakumar expressed, “I’ve never seen a champion team denied the trophy since I began playing cricket.
“We decided on the field not to accept the trophy.”
This regional Twenty20 event marked the first meeting of these cricket powerhouses since earlier clashes this year.
Tensions escalated after previous matches showcased political maneuvering and intense on-field conduct.
Suryakumar added, “For me, the real trophies are my team and support staff in the dressing room. They mean more than any physical trophy.”
“The big screen announced India as the Asia Cup 2025 champions, a significant moment for our team.”
The ceremony was delayed an hour before Simon Doull announced: “The ACC informed me that the Indian cricket team will not accept their awards tonight, concluding the presentation.”
‘Harmful for cricket’
Pakistan’s Agha remarked that India’s conduct was “harmful for cricket.”
He told reporters, “What happened in this tournament is disheartening.
If they believed not shaking hands disrespected us, I say they disrespected cricket.
A respectable team doesn’t act as they did. Respectable teams act as we did, waiting for our medals.”
“This is unprecedented. I don’t know where it will end. This tournament’s events are detrimental to cricket.”
