Former Indian captain Kapil Dev has urged Pakistan and India to resolve their ongoing cricket and political disputes through dialogue after the Asia Cup 2025 final ended with India refusing to accept the winners’ trophy.
India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 final played in Dubai on 28 September. Pakistan scored 146 in 19.1 overs, while India chased the target in 19.4 overs to retain the Asia Cup 2025 title. Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten 69 and named player of the match.
Despite winning, the Indian team did not accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that the team would not receive the trophy from Naqvi due to his political position. The presentation ceremony delayed for more than an hour, and Naqvi eventually left the ground with the trophy. Indian players celebrated on the field without the trophy while supporters watched the unusual conclusion to the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final.
BCCI officials confirmed that they requested the trophy to presented by an ACC representative other than Naqvi. The ACC did not release an immediate statement, while Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team was denied the trophy during the presentation and that the issue would be raised with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Speaking to Indian media, Kapil Dev said political issues should not dominate cricket and stressed the need for talks between the two countries. He said that as neighbouring nations, Pakistan and India should act like good neighbours and resolve disputes through dialogue. Kapil Dev added that both sides should forget past events and focus on a better future.
Former Pakistani players, including Shoaib Malik, criticised India’s refusal to receive the Asia Cup trophy 2025, calling it a negative sign for cricket diplomacy. Pakistani media reported that Mohsin Naqvi remained firm during the standoff and left with the trophy after India’s refusal.
