India Beat Pakistan to Win Asia Cup 2025 Final But Trophy Drama Overshadows Victory

By Abhishek Kumar

India defeated Pakistan in a thrilling Asia Cup 2025 final at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday winning by five wickets with only two balls left. But instead of celebrations the night ended in controversy as India refused to accept the trophy and medals from ACC President and PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi.

Batting first Pakistan looked strong at 113 for 1 but a sudden collapse saw them all out for just 146 runs. Kuldeep Yadav was the star with the ball taking 4 wickets for 30 runs while Jasprit Bumrah Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel added important breakthroughs. Pakistan lost nine wickets for only 33 runs giving India a chaseable target.

In reply India lost early wickets but young Tilak Varma played a mature knock of 69 not out from 53 balls. He was well supported by Shivam Dube who scored 33 in a steady partnership. Together they guided India to victory with just two balls to spare. With this win India claimed its ninth Asia Cup title and this was also the first time India and Pakistan met in an Asia Cup final.

But the post-match ceremony turned dramatic. The presentation was delayed and when it finally started Indian players refused to collect the trophy and medals from Mohsin Naqvi citing political tensions. They only accepted individual awards like Player of the Match. In an unexpected move Naqvi walked away with the trophy and medals which the BCCI strongly criticized.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said India had decided not to take the trophy from Naqvi but that did not mean he could leave with it. The board is now planning to protest the matter with the ICC. Earlier in the tournament, there were already political overtones as players avoided handshakes and on-field gestures from Pakistan created more controversy.