NEW DELHI: Drama, suspense, anger, boos, and thrill — the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium had it all.The tournament had already been overshadowed by the ‘handshake controversy’, but the final night took things to another level — from India’s refusal to celebrate with the trophy, to PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi walking away with the cup, to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha throwing away the runners-up cheque. It was a finale full of chaos and controversy — one that cricket fans won’t forget anytime soon.
India went on to clinch their ninth Asia Cup title overall (across ODIs and T20Is) and their second in the T20I format.Here’s how the dramatic night unfolded, step by step:TOSS: No handshakeTensions were high right from the start as India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha did not shake hands at the toss.NATIONAL ANTHEM: Disrespect rowBefore play began, players lined up for the national anthems. Pakistan’s anthem was followed by India’s, but cameras caught Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf casually chatting during India’s anthem — a gesture that quickly went viral and was slammed by fans as “disrespectful.”BUMRAH’S SEND-OFFIndia pacer Jasprit Bumrah bowled a sensational yorker to dismiss Haris Rauf in the 18th over and cheekily mimicked the Pakistan pacer’s dipping-flight celebration from the Super 4 clash as a send-off.TROPHY DRAMA After a nerve-wracking win, India’s players refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who is both Pakistan’s Interior Minister and the Asian Cricket Council chairman. Naqvi waited on stage for nearly 20 minutes as the presentation ceremony failed to start.DELAYS AND WALK-OFFThe delay continued, and with no resolution in sight, Naqvi eventually walked off the stage with the trophy, causing the ceremony to be pushed back by over an hour — still without the champions holding the cup.CROWD REACTIONIndian fans voiced their anger with chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and booed Naqvi loudly in the stadium.PLAN BOrganisers eventually devised an alternative plan — India agreed to receive the trophy from Khalid Al Zarooni, vice-chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).PRESENTATION FINALLY BEGINSThe delayed ceremony finally commenced, but the drama was far from over.BOOS AND CHEQUE THROWHaris Rauf was booed with chants of “Kohli! Kohli!” and Salman Ali Agha was also jeered. In a shocking reaction, the Pakistan captain threw away the runners-up cheque before leaving the field with his teammates.INDIA CELEBRATE WITHOUT THE TROPHYEven as the champions waited for their trophy and medals, Indian players turned to social media to celebrate.Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana mocked Abrar Ahmed’s head-tilt celebration.Varun Chakravarthy posted a symbolic image of a lone teacup, highlighting the missing trophy.Hardik Pandya and others shared pictures with trophy emojis replacing the real cup.PRESS CONFERENCEIndia captain Suryakumar Yadav and opener Abhishek Sharma addressed the media after India lifted the Asia Cup for the ninth time.
