Overview: Asia Cup Trophy Row After Dubai Final
The Asia Cup final in Dubai ended with India’s five-wicket victory over Pakistan, but the trophy handover did not follow the usual script. The ACC President and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stood ready to present the trophy, yet the Indian team declined to collect it, triggering a standoff that delayed the ceremony. Officials later removed the trophy from the ground as the rest of the post-match presentations proceeded.
What Happened During the Presentation
According to contemporary reports, the presentation was held up by a dispute over who would receive the trophy. The Indian team reportedly refused to take the trophy from Naqvi, while Naqvi would not relinquish his position to hand it over under the prevailing protocol. The moment, captured in the aftermath of India’s win, led to the trophy being taken off the ground before other awards could be distributed.
Medals and Rewards: The Ceremony’s Aftermath
During the post-match proceedings, Pakistan collected their runners-up medals from Aminul Islam, the BCB President. Meanwhile, Indian players Tilak Varma, Kuldeep Yadav, and Abhishek Sharma accepted their rewards from the event sponsors, but the Indian team did not receive their winner’s medals or the Asia Cup trophy on the podium.
The Captain’s Reflections
In the post-match press conference, India captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed the unusual sequence, saying, “This is one thing which I have never seen since I have started playing cricket, since I have started following cricket that a champion team is denied to get a trophy. That too a hard-earned one, it’s not like we got it easily. It was a hard-earned tournament. We were here since the 4th, played two back-to-back good games. I feel we deserved it. I can’t say anything more, I think I have summed it up really well, I can’t say anything more about it.”
What the Players Consider “The Real Trophies”
Yadav went on to redirect the focus from trophies to moments and memories shared by the team, describing the players’ and support staff’s effort as the true takeaway from the Asia Cup journey. “My trophies are sitting in the dressing room, all the 14 guys, all the support staff – those are the real trophies,” he added, underscoring the team’s perspective on value beyond hardware.
Subsequent Rewards and Reactions
Following the final, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced a ₹21 crore reward for the players and support staff, highlighting the collective achievement despite the trophy-handling controversy. The incident dominated post-match analysis and raised questions about trophy presentation protocols in high-stakes bilateral events.
Looking Ahead: Implications for Asia Cup Protocols
As discussions about trophy ceremonies continue, the episode has sparked conversations about standardizing protocols for post-match honours in multi-national tournaments. While the trophy dispute was largely seen as a ceremonial standoff, many observers view it as a reminder of the need for clear guidelines so celebrations can proceed smoothly, irrespective of on-field outcomes.
Report by Cricbuzz Staff. More updates to follow as official responses emerge.
