Dubai [UAE]: Drama unfolded off the field after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final in Dubai, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi walked away with the trophy following India’s refusal to accept it from his hands. The incident has reignited tensions between the two countries in the sporting arena, with political undertones adding to the controversy.
India’s victory on the field
India secured a five-wicket win over Pakistan, clinching their second T20I Asia Cup title and ninth overall including ODI editions. The Indian team displayed a commanding performance, led by key contributions from players such as Tilak Varma, Kuldeep Yadav, and Abhishek Sharma, who earned individual awards for their efforts during the tournament.
However, the post-match presentation ceremony did not go smoothly. The presentation was delayed by 90 minutes, and Indian players refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy or official medals from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. According to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, India declined the trophy as a response to Naqvi’s controversial handling of the situation, highlighting lingering political sensitivities between the two nations.
Mohsin Naqvi’s response
Following the incident, Naqvi took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticise India’s decision, stating, “If war was your measure of pride, history already records your humiliating defeats at Pakistan’s hands. No cricket match can rewrite that truth. Dragging war into sport only exposes desperation and disgraces the very spirit of the game.”
The statement was widely perceived as provocative, particularly given the history of India-Pakistan sporting and political relations. Critics noted that India has repeatedly defeated Pakistan in major ICC tournaments and argued that Naqvi’s remarks failed to acknowledge the team’s sporting achievement.
On-field proceedings and awards
During the delayed presentation ceremony, Indian players opted to collect only individual awards from other dignitaries. Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma received their awards without engaging with Naqvi, while Pakistani player Salman accepted the runners-up cheque from him. Fans at the venue booed Naqvi and the Pakistan team during the ceremony.
Simon Doull, presenter for the host broadcaster, confirmed that the Indian cricket team would not be collecting the trophy, further emphasising the diplomatic undercurrents overshadowing the sporting event. Despite the controversy, India posed with an imaginary trophy and celebrated their victory with fireworks, signalling another ICC tournament loss for Pakistan.
Historical and political context
The incident drew attention to historical conflicts between India and Pakistan, including the 1971 war, the Kargil conflict, and Operation Sindoor. Analysts say that sports diplomacy has often been strained due to political tensions, and the Asia Cup final highlighted how political narratives can spill over into international sporting events.
Conclusion
While India triumphed on the field with a commanding performance, the Asia Cup final in Dubai highlighted the complex interplay of sports and politics in South Asia. The refusal to accept the trophy from PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi has sparked widespread debate about the role of diplomacy in sports, underscoring that cricket between India and Pakistan remains as much a political spectacle as a sporting contest.