Team India’s record ninth Asia Cup triumph in Dubai on Sunday was overshadowed by dramatic scenes at the post-match presentation. After sealing a thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side refused to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The Pakistani politician, who also heads the PCB, eventually walked away from the venue with the silverware and medals, leaving India’s players to celebrate with an “invisible trophy.”

Naqvi’s recent social media activity is believed to have influenced India’s stance. The ACC chief had reposted provocative content on X, including a clip featuring Pakistan captain Salman Agha and Shaheen Afridi in flight suits, backed by images of fighter jets—seen as a mocking reference to Pakistan’s unverified claims during India’s Operation Sindoor earlier this year.

With tensions already heightened after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian camp was unwilling to share the stage with him. Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, however, launched a scathing attack on India for the boycott.

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“Just see how much pressure the players went through to win the Asia Cup. They worked so hard. Why did they do all that? To win the trophy! And after all that effort, you don’t even come to take it,” Shoaib Malik told The Indian Express.

Calling India’s act “short-sighted,” Malik warned that the decision would “haunt” the players in years to come. “It was a massive moment after such a close match. Today they might be celebrating like this, but years later they will think: ‘We won the trophy, we worked hard.’ Athletes are meant to play, give their best, and take what comes with it,” he added.

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For Suryakumar Yadav, though, there was no regret. Speaking to the media, he said: “I have never seen a champion team denied a trophy. We deserved it. But the real trophies are my 14 teammates and the memories we created. That will stay forever.”

Despite the absence of silverware, India’s unbeaten run and ninth Asia Cup title have etched this campaign into history, though the controversy is certain to fuel debate in the cricketing world for months to come.