India clinched the 2025 Asia Cup title with a thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan on Sunday, but the post-match press conferences drew equal attention. India skipper Suryakumar Yadav had surprised everyone by announcing that he would donate his entire match fees from the tournament to the Indian armed forces. Capping off his press conference, he said, “As a gesture, I want to donate my match fees from all the games in this tournament to the Indian Army. I don’t know if people will call it controversial, but for me, it’s the right thing to do.” He concluded his session promptly, putting on display the style that has become his trademark. Following the final, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha mirrored the India captain’s approach, announcing a donation as well. “We as a team, are donating our match fees to all the civilians who lost their lives during the Indian attack and to our kids who were affected by it. We are donating it to them,” Agha said, ending his press conference with a hurried “Thank you very much” before walking out. On the field, India held their nerve in a tense chase. Tilak Varma starred with 69 not out off 53 balls, including a crucial six off Haris Rauf in the 20th over, while Shivam Dube contributed a vital 33 from 22 deliveries. Rinku Singh hit the winning boundary on his only ball of the tournament. Pakistan had earlier posted 146 all out after collapsing from 113/1 in 19.1 overs at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) gave Pakistan a strong start, but Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/30 sparked a collapse, with Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel chipping in with key wickets. India’s innings began shakily at 20/3, losing Abhishek Sharma (5), Shubman Gill (12) and Yadav (1) early. Partnerships between Tilak, Samson (24), and Dube then steadied the chase, with Varma and Dube adding a decisive 60 runs off 40 balls to secure victory. The final was also marked by continued tension between the teams. India refused to shake hands with Pakistan players before and after the match, and the Indian side declined to receive the trophy or medals from ACC president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the team’s stance, while the players celebrated on the field without the trophy.
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The gestures from both the captains highlighted the mood in either camp after the result and acts of sportsmanship and solidarity, setting off a new chapter in India-Pakistan cricket rivalry amid high drama both on and off the field.
