India clinched a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title with a five-wicket win over Pakistan in a tense final in Dubai on Sunday.
The win capped India’s unbeaten run in the tournament, their third victory over Pakistan in this edition, with Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 anchoring a successful chase of 147 after Pakistan collapsed from 84-1 to 146 all out. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav starred with 4-30 in the bowling effort.
Indian Prime Minister congratulated the team on their Asia Cup victory over Pakistan, praising their performance with a playful reference to their winning streak.
However, the post-match presentation was delayed for over an hour, with India declining to collect the trophy from Naqvi. Instead, individual awards were handed to Indian players by other dignitaries, while Pakistan captain Salman Agha received the runners-up cheque directly from Naqvi.
“We have decided not to take the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the main leaders of Pakistan,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told ANI.
“It is unfortunate, but we hope the trophy and medals will be returned to India soon.”
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav said he had never experienced anything like it in his career. “A champion team denied a hard-earned trophy — I feel we deserved it. But my real trophies are the 14 players and support staff who stood together throughout this journey,” he told reporters.
The Indian team eventually celebrated on the podium without the silverware, lifting an “imaginary trophy” to the delight of their fans in the stands.
India had already made its stance clear during the tournament, avoiding handshakes with Pakistani players at the toss and post-match rituals, heightening tensions following the Pakistan’s support to terrorism resulting in recent military conflict.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is now set to lodge a formal protest at the next ICC meeting in Dubai this November.
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