Pakistan Captain Calls out Indian Team for Not Taking Trophy From Mohsin Naqvi After Asia Cup Win: “Where Will This Stop?”

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha spoke his mind about Team India's behavior post the Asia Cup final.

Pakistan Captain Calls out Indian Team for Not Taking Trophy From Mohsin Naqvi After Asia Cup Win: “Where Will This Stop?”

In background: Salman Ali Agha; In box: Indian team celebrating Asia Cup victory (Image via The Hindu/screengrab)

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The 2025 Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan was a fitting final on the field with both teams giving it their all right until the end. India eventually emerged victorious in the last over, proving that they still were mentally much ahead in the battle between the two sides.

However, the events after the final have left a bitter aftertaste in the minds of true cricket lovers. India team management and players refused to collect the winning trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman.

In their stance of boycotting personal interactions with every Pakistani national, they ended up without a trophy as Naqvi, who was adamant to hand over the trophy himself, stormed back after India’s denial. The India captain didn’t even give his winning speech, and the entire hour that surrounded the post-match presentation was one no one had ever witnessed before.

Pakistan cricket captain, Salman Ali Agha, in his press conference post the final, used some strong statements against the India side, claiming it to be a bizarre behavior from the men in blue.

The winning trophy will obviously be presented by the ACC chairman. What India did with us (not shaking hands, not taking trophy from Mohsin Naqvi) they think they are disrespecting us, but in reality they are disrespecting the sport of cricket. Looking at this what if other teams also start doing this. Where will we draw the line, where will this stop?

Salman Ali Agha via post tournament press conference

Agha lashed out the antics performed by India in this Asia Cup and said that he felt it was simply not done. He also used a very strong phrase in ‘India is disrespecting cricket.’ Agha and the men in green collected their runners up medals and their cheque from the elite members on the dias.

A good team doesn’t behave like this on the field. Cricketers are supposed to be role models, what will kids learn watching this kind of behaviour on the field. Whatever happened in this tournament was very bad.

Salman Ali Agha added

Though when they were doing that, they were treated with unfortunate boos from Indian fans in the stands. Post that presentation, host Simon Doull announced that India would not be receiving their trophy tonight and concluded the ceremony.

Salman Ali Agha on the no handshake with Suryakumar Yadav

The bitter aftertaste of the chaos that has surrounded the current Asia Cup was felt heavily in the captain’s press conference post the tournament. In his press conference, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha not only used bold statements about India’s behavior in the post-match ceremony but also opened up on the no-handshake saga, revealing some shocking details.

India and Pakistan break a 41 year old record as they go head on against each other in the final at Asia Cup 2025
Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha (Image via Johns. X)

He did shake hands with me when we were doing the captains’ press conference (before the start of the tournament). He shook my hands even during our meeting with the match referee. But he doesn’t do it when he’s in front of everyone. I am sure, if it was up to him, he’d have done it. He’s just doing what he’s been instructed, which is fine.

Salman Ali Agha said via post tournament press conference

Agha revealed that the captains did have an interaction before the tournament. Some videos circulating post the final also show Suryakumar Yadav engaging with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and talking to him, making the standoff during the presentation ceremony a mystery.

Fans would now wonder whether the behavior of Team India changed in front of the camera, as Agha suggested. The Asia Cup was won by the India team for the 9th time, but for the first time, the side winning the tournament didn’t get their trophy.

The standoff between the two countries which have taken place in this Asia Cup has almost now made it difficult for future editions of the tournament to take place with peace. With the women’s World Cup game of India vs. Pakistan scheduled for next week and the T20 World Cup in the subcontinent again next year, the fans will have their eyes keenly set on the off-field drama more than what the players would produce on the field.

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