Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has called for India to be suspended from ICC tournaments after the Men in Blue refused to collect the Asia Cup 2025 trophy and awards from ACC chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi. Latif argued that such defiance would typically invite strict disciplinary action in other sports but expressed scepticism that the ICC would take any action against India, given the heavy presence of Indian officials in its leadership.
Describing the events at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium as “an ugly day for cricket,” Latif accused India of undermining the spirit of the game. The post-match presentation was disrupted as India declined to accept the trophy from Naqvi, forcing organisers to abbreviate the ceremony. While individual awards were handed out, the Indian team deliberately avoided any public acknowledgement of the ACC chief.
On Facebook, Latif wrote, “Indian cricket team a good candidate for suspension from ICC after refusing to collect the Asia Cup 2025 trophy and awards from the ACC Chairman. In any other sport, this would have been an open and shut case. But with ICC Chairman, CEO, CFO, Commercial chief, and head of Events and Communications being Indians, suspension seems unlikely.” He added, “Ugly day for cricket as India once again breached the spirit and essence of the gentleman’s game, that too in broad daylight.”
ALSO READ: Tilak Varma Reshares Narendra Modi’s Post, Declares ‘India Always Wins’ After Asia Cup Heroics
The controversy followed India’s thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan in the final, where Pakistan were bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs, and India chased the target in 19.4 overs. India captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed his frustration, calling it the first time in his career that a champion team was denied the opportunity to lift the trophy.
Rashid Latif calls the Asia Cup final as ugly day for cricket and demands suspension of Indian cricket team.#PAKvIND | #Cricket | #Pakistan | #RashidLatif | #AsiaCup2025 | #Dubai | #India pic.twitter.com/KCosLtByZh
— Khel Shel (@khelshel) September 29, 2025
“This is something I have never seen in all my years of playing and following cricket. A champion team was denied a trophy, and it was a hard-earned one. We played two strong games on back-to-back days. I felt we truly deserved it,” he said.
WATCH – Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma Manifest Their Dreams in Asia Cup 2025 Final
Reports indicated that India had been willing to accept the trophy from Emirates Cricket Board Vice Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, but Naqvi reportedly refused the request. In a bizarre postscript, an ACC official was later seen lifting the trophy and walking out of the stadium while the Indian players remained on the field, waiting for the proceedings to conclude.
This unprecedented incident has sparked debate across cricketing circles about sportsmanship, politics, and the authority of governing bodies in international cricket.
